The crime branch, after obtaining permission from the state Home Department, had sought exemption from the rule so that they could get Bishnoi’s custody. The request, however, did not come through and the crime branch had decided to wait till August 30, 2024 when the hold would be lifted.
NEARLY FIVE months since the firing outside the Bandra residence of actor Salman Khan, the Mumbai police, probing the case, have not yet been given access to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, whose gang claimed credit for the firing and had threatened the actor in the past. Bishnoi has been lodged at the Sabarmati prison in Gujarat since last year. Earlier this week, the Bishnoi gang claimed credit for firing outside the residence of singer A P Dhillon in Canada.
“All legal processes are being followed in order to get access to him,” an officer said. Sources explained that initially they could not directly get his custody as the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in an order dated August 30, 2023, had restrained for a year Bishnoi’s movement in prison under provisions of Section 268 of the CrPC by which the government can direct that any person shall not be removed from the prison in which he or they may be confined or detained.
The crime branch, after obtaining permission from the state Home Department, had sought exemption from the rule so that they could get Bishnoi’s custody. The request, however, did not come through and the crime branch had decided to wait till August 30, 2024 when the hold would be lifted.
“Attempts are being made. However, so far, we have not received the permission. We would prefer to get his custody and interrogate him in Maharashtra rather than question him in Sabarmati prison. His questioning is crucial to find out how he is operating his gang from behind bars,” the officer said.
Last year, the NIA, probing a heroin seizure case against him, was granted Bishnoi’s custody for five days in September after the restrictive order by MHA was temporarily revoked.
As per the chargesheet filed by the crime branch in the case, the attack outside Khan’s residence was carried out at the behest of Bishnoi.
Bishnoi, his younger brother Anmol, suspected to be holed up in Canada, and one Rohit Godara were named as wanted accused in the case. Bishnoi claims that he was targeting Khan as the actor had shot dead blackbucks, revered by his community, in Rajasthan in 1998 during the shooting of Hum Saath Saath Hain movie. The police, however, maintain that Bishnoi is trying to gain popularity by threatening and attempting to attack a popular actor.
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