The trial in the attempted murder of Bollywood actor Salman Khan commenced recently before the special MCOCA court, with the testimony of a private security guard who submitted that the "firing was an attempt to kill the actor."
The witness, who served as the actor's personal bodyguard for eight years, provided a detailed account of the events that unfolded in the early hours of April 14, 2024. Refuting the defence's attempts to suggest he was not present or was deposing under police influence, the witness maintained his account. "It is not correct to say that I was not present at the spot at the time of the incident, or that I had not witnessed the incident, or that I have deposed falsely on the say of the police," the witness submitted.
A second witness, a police guard, deposed on Saturday, recalling the details of the incident. In November, the court framed charges against five accused. On April 14, 2024, a motorcyclist and a pillion rider discharged several rounds at the balcony of Khan's Galaxy Apartment home in Bandra.
Deposing before special judge SR Navander, the first witness described being on his regular night shift at Galaxy Apartments, Bandra (W). "A police guard has also been provided for the security since the last five to six years, as the actor had received threat calls from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. There are three other security guards during the daytime. We relieved each other. We used to always be with the actor. When the actor is at home, we stay there," the witness said.
He further recalled that around 4 am, he heard sounds resembling firecrackers. "I looked at the CCTV screen. I saw two people on a bike, wearing helmets, firing towards the building, upside. They fired four to five times. Therefore, we, i.e., myself and other guards, and others present there, immediately went outside the main gate. At that time, both the motorcyclists fled towards 'I Love Bandra' point, and from there they went towards Mehboob Studio road," the witness recalled.
Following the incident, the witness and other security personnel discovered empty shells and visible impact holes on the building's walls. The shells were later seized by the police. "Police arrived there within 30 to 45 minutes," the witness said.
