Mumbai: A Mumbai court has denied bail to Vicky Gupta, one of the accused in the April 14 firing outside Salman Khan's residence, stating he acted with the intent to kill on the instigation of Anmol Bishnoi. Judge BD Shelke, presiding over cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), noted that Gupta and his accomplice fired shots at Khan's Galaxy Apartments in Bandra West. The court emphasised that Gupta, along with other gang members, conspired to commit the crime under Bishnoi's direction, with Lawrence Bishnoi also named as a wanted accused.

The court highlighted that Salman Khan often stood on the first-floor gallery of his house, where the shots were directed. The FIR and Khan's statement demonstrated that the gunfire was aimed at an area regularly used by the actor.

Crucially, the court referenced a call recording between Vicky Gupta and Anmol Bishnoi, showing that the firing was carried out under Anmol's instigation. Both Lawrence and Anmol Bishnoi are named as wanted accused in the chargesheet.

Confessional Statement Strengthens Case
Judge Shelke emphasized that the confessional statement of Gupta was vital in deciding bail. Gupta admitted to joining a gang connected to the wanted accused and provided details of the reconnaissance and planning involved. The evidence showed that Gupta, alongside other gang members, conspired to kill Khan.

Despite Gupta's lack of prior criminal history, the court stated that he could not escape charges under MCOCA. The judge pointed out that the chargesheets against Lawrence and Anmol Bishnoi provided sufficient grounds for invoking the Act.

Risk of Repeated Crimes
The court highlighted that, given the nature of the offence, the potential for Gupta to engage in similar crimes, being a gang member, could not be ruled out. As a result, the court ruled Gupta ineligible for bail.

Currently, Gupta, Sagar Pal, and three other accused—Sonukumar Bishnoi, Mohd Rafiq Choudhary, and Harpal Singh—are in judicial custody. Another accused, Anujkumar Thapan, committed suicide while in police custody. PTI