Salman Khan firing case: How Bishnoi gang used cut-outs to prevent going bust

Each person in chain of command does not know face or identity of those above or below; they are identified only using headless photos that merely show the clothes they will be wearing for meet-up

The city Crime Branch team, investigating the shooters and arms suppliers of the Bishnoi gang who were arrested for firing five rounds outside Salman Khan’s residence last month, has discovered that the gang deploys various ‘codes’ to prevent direct or indirect acquaintance among those involved in the case. One of these code patterns identified by the Crime Branch is also used by top Afghan drug suppliers, which the Bishnoi gang used for supplying arms, drugs, and cash to their shooters.

Sources in the crime branch the gang uses faceless photos of individuals involved in supplying arms, drugs, and cash to those carrying out instructions such as firing, extortion, and murder from Lawrence Bishnoi or his brother Anmol. Officers identified this pattern when they encountered a faceless photo of the arms supplier, Anuj Thapan, who allegedly died by suicide inside the crime branch lockup, as well as another accused, Subhash Chander.

Anuj Thapan had covered his face when he met shooters. File pic/PTI

”The accused Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta later revealed during interrogation, that they were not aware of Thapan and Chander as they had never seen them… they received faceless photos of these individuals from Anmol Bishnoi and later received weapons and cash from the duo, who had covered their faces when they met. They could identify them only through the clothes they were wearing,” said an officer.

According to the crime branch, approximately Rs 2 lakh was given to Gupta and Pal. Using this money, they purchased a bike and conducted reconnaissance around Salman's residence. Additionally, they rented a house in Panvel two months prior to the firing incident.

An officer stated that the shooters were instructed to fire at least 10 rounds and remain at the scene for at least 10 minutes, smoking cigarettes before leaving. “This was to send a message that they are not afraid of anyone, despite Salman having ‘Y-plus’ security. They fired outside his residence and managed to escape. However, the shooters didn't stay after firing five rounds; they fled immediately and left their bike near Mount Merry,” added the officer.   

10
No. of rounds shooters were told to fire

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