The Bombay High Court granted bail to two men accused of being part of a foiled plot to assassinate actor Salman Khan near his Panvel farmhouse last year. The court cited insufficient evidence against the duo, allegedly linked to jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang.
The Mumbai Police uncovered the assassination plot in June 2024 while probing an April 2024 firing incident outside Khan’s Bandra residence, also attributed to Bishnoi’s gang.
Justice NR Borkar granted bail to Waspi Mehmud Khan, alias Wasim Chikna, and Gaurav Vinod Bhatia, alias Sandeep Bishnoi. The court noted that apart from their presence in a WhatsApp group where the alleged conspiracy was discussed, there was no substantial incriminating evidence against them.
The case involves seven accused, all reportedly linked to the Bishnoi gang. Police alleged that Waspi, Gaurav, and another accused, Rizwan Khan, had conducted reconnaissance of Khan’s Panvel farmhouse and Bandra home.
Defense lawyer argued that the allegations were fabricated for media attention. He highlighted that co-accused Deepak Goyal, alias Johnny Valmiki, arrested in Rajasthan in June 2024, had already secured bail from the Panvel Sessions Court. He further contended that Waspi and Gaurav had no direct ties to the Bishnoi gang or the conspiracy.
State opposed the bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and presenting a photo of Bishnoi with an AK-47 from the WhatsApp group. However, the court, considering previous bail grants, ruled in favor of the accused.
