Spikes, broken glass to keep Salman Khan fans at bay

Walls of Galaxy Apartments in Bandra, the society where Salman Khan lives, fortified with iron spikes, glass shards; in view of fans, paparazzi who flock to the spot before his film release or court appearances

With Bajrangi Bhaijaan set to release this week and the court proceedings on in the 2002 hit-and-run case, Galaxy Apartments in Bandra, home to superstar Salman Khan has been fortified to keep out paparazzi and overzealous fans.

Also read: Fan frenzy outside Salman Khan's residence as actor gets bail

Building residents say several people try to scale the 6-foot-high walls to get a glimpse of the actor. Pics/Nimesh Dave

A resident, who is also a senior member of the society’s managing committee, said the decision to install iron spikes on the compound walls and embed broken glass in the roof of the security cabin was taken at a committee meeting recently.

“Each time there is a film release or a court verdict, the crowd swells out of proportion. Even our nearly six-feet-tall compound walls do not deter fans and paparazzi from scaling them to click a photo or get a glimpse of the actor, who lives on the first floor of the building,” said the resident, adding that the decision was taken to ensure the safety of children playing in the indoor park, which is just next to the compound wall.

Also Read: Bombay HC adjourns hearing in Salman Khan's hit-and-run case till July 20

Thousands of fans had gathered outside the building when the Sessions Court had found Salman Khan guilty on May 6 and the sentence was suspended on May 8

“The society had been contemplating installing iron spikes on the wall for quite some time now and finally the resolution was passed keeping in mind the privacy and safety not only of Salman, but also the other members. The spikes were installed over the last week,” he said.

The iron spikes on the walls. Pic/Nimesh Dave

The resident added that no one could deny the fact that hundreds of people gather outside the building even on a normal day. “It is a daunting task for our security personnel to keep a round-the-clock watch over the compound.

Also Read: PIL seeks ban on release of Salman Khan's 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan'

Salman Khan

We quite enjoy the fact that Galaxy Apartments has attained landmark status, thanks to the Khans residing here, but that also gives rise to its own avoidable complications.”

Hearing adjourned
The Bombay High Court yesterday adjourned the hearing on Salman Khan’s 2002 hit-and-run case till July 20. Khan, who got a respite in the case after the High Court stayed his five-year conviction, had earlier been directed to submit Rs 2 lakh as security before leaving the country for a show.

A criminal court had earlier convicted Salman of culpable homicide on charges that he had lost control of his car when driving under the influence of alcohol in 2002 and rammed into a group of people sleeping on a pavement.

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