Salman Khan Firing case update: Police arrest fifth accused, a member of Lawrence Bishnoi gang who provided financial assistance to shooters  

A still of Salman Khan and the CCTV image of the shooters

In the latest development, the Mumbai police crime branch has arrested fifth accused in the firing outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s home in April this year.

Two men, who are under police custody, were arrested by the Mumbai police crime branch from Bhuj initially and now after interrogation more arrests have been made.

The fifth accused, Mohammed Rafique Chaudhary, was arrested from Rajasthan. According to police, he was providing all the financial assistance to the accused.

According to news agency PTI, the two accused had done a recce of the area and would send photos and videos of Salman Khan’s house – Galaxy Apartments in Bandra to Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother – Anmol.

Anmol had taken responsibility of the attack outside Salman Khan’s home on April 14 this year. Two motorcycle-borne persons opened fire outside Salman Khan's residence and fled from the spot.

A police official told PTI that Chowdhary's role had come to light during the interrogation of the two accused arrested in the case.

He is a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, and was in direct contact with the alleged shooters - Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta, the official said.

According to police, Choudhary had provided financial support to Pal and Gupta to purchase a motorcycle and rent a house, he said.

Before the firing incident, Choudhary went to Panvel in neighbouring Navi Mumbai and stayed with Pal and Gupta, he said.

Choudhary provided all the logistical support to the accused persons since the conspiracy of firing was hatched, the official said.

After a specific information received about Chowdhary's whereabouts, a crime branch team was sent to Rajasthan and he was apprehended from Nagaur district, he said.

The Mumbai police have so far arrested five persons in connection with the case of firing outside Khan's residence.

One of the arrested persons, Anuj Thapan, who was accused of supplying weapons to the shooters, allegedly hanged himself in a police lock-up here on May 1. (With PTI Inputs)