Mumbai Crime News: Versova Police Book Filmmaker Manish Gupta For Stabbing Driver Over Salary Dispute

The Versova police have registered an FIR against film producer and director Manish Gupta for allegedly stabbing his driver with a knife on June 5. The case was registered on June 6 under Sections 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 115(2) and 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

According to the FIR, Gupta’s office is located in Versova, Andheri West. The victim, 38-year-old driver Mohammad Lashkar, resides in DN Nagar, Andheri West. Lashkar had worked with Gupta for three years, earning a monthly salary of ₹23,000. However, Gupta reportedly never paid his salary on time, leading to frequent altercations between them. Gupta also failed to pay Lashkar's salary for the previous month and sacked him from service on May 30.

On June 3, Lashkar called Gupta and demanded his pending salary. Gupta allegedly told him he would not pay unless Lashkar resumed work. The next day, Lashkar rejoined duty, but Gupta still did not pay him.

On June 5, at around 8:30 p.m., both were at Gupta’s office in Versova. When Lashkar once again asked for his salary, Gupta allegedly began verbally abusing him and said he would not pay. When Lashkar raised his voice, Gupta reportedly took a knife from the kitchen and stabbed him on the right side of his body.

Following the incident, Lashkar came out of the office, informed the watchman and a nearby driver and rushed to Cooper Hospital in Vile Parle West in an auto-rickshaw. After receiving medical treatment, Lashkar filed a complaint against Gupta, after which the police registered the FIR.