Lawrence-Bishnoi-Shahrukh-Khan
Glamour and Bollywood charm held a sway over this city, now abounds with raised security levels as Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan faces a deathly chilling call.
The Threat Call: All information coming in.
The threatening call, traced from a mobile number registered under the name Faizan Khan in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, said that Shah Rukh was to be eliminated.
According to the preliminary investigation carried out by the police, the caller had said explicitly that the situation would go out of hand if his demands were not met.
Swift response from the Mumbai Police resulted in an FIR under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 308(4) and 351(3)(4) of extortion and criminal intimidation.
Several teams have been dispatched to Chhattisgarh. Teams are working in tandem with local police and are backing every open lead to search for and apprehend the caller.
Suspicion on Lawrence Bishnoi
Bollywood stars live in fear lately, being intimidated by organized crime. Infamous gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who has been in the news recently for threatening high-profile people, is believed to have made threats to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan as well.
The Mumbai police are exploring this angle, since Lawrence Bishnoi has been an accused in several high-profile threats, thus fueling a suspicion of a targeted campaign against Bollywood filmstars.
Mannat: Heightened Security
The Carter Road residence of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Mannat is, well known to thousands of fans who turn up each day.
To counter the recent threat to him, Mumbai police have heightened security at his home by deploying more officers than usual and cutting off easy access to the building complex.
Just in the last fortnight alone, two big films have been released featuring Shah Rukh. So, this has become an issue of major concern for both the authorities and his fans: the security of Shah Rukh Khan.
A pattern of threats against Bollywood stars is mounting.
Bollywood stars, especially the celebrities owing to their grotesquely inflated celebrity status and the devoted fans, are under constant public scrutiny and have become easy prey for criminal intimidation and worse harassment.
Within the last few months, even Salman Khan received threats from gangsters, messages, and shots fired outside his house. The repeated incidents brought on more security measures for A-listers in Mumbai, compelling the Mumbai Police force to re-design its approach to guarding such personalities.
Mumbai Police Response and Follow-up Investigation
Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar came up with a response to the incidents and stated, “We don’t take such threats lightly and have a clear vigilance mechanism in place to ensure everyone’s safety, particularly a public figure that this city sees as he has been acknowledged and admired.”
We are following all leads and cooperating with the agencies in Raipur.
As the threat waves are on rise, Mumbai Police are equally trying to strengthen security and surveillance of celebrities, particularly those who were targeted in the past.
Effect on Shah Rukh Khan’s Family and Followers
The moment the threat rolled in, Shah Rukh Khan fans and followers took to social media, raising their voices with trends like #StaySafeSRK. Many thought that threats like these were also given to others in the garb of stars and welcome stronger measures to protect public figures.
Shah Rukh has been quite resilient himself, and till date, he has remained mum on the whole episode. However, sources close to him mention that his family is nervous but trusts authorities to handle things.
The incident of recent terror threats against the lives of both Shah Rukh and Salman Khan has compelled the Bollywood fraternity to request increased security and vigilance against organized crime in the entertainment world.
The Larger Picture: Celebrity Security and Citizen Security
This recent incident has thrown open the challenge in the protection of the high-profile individuals by the police, not only for public safety but also in this case within the confines of a bustling city like Mumbai.
Questions arise about what might be the reason behind targeting the key celebrities of the entertainment world and thereby require a force needed for a collaborative approach from the police, intelligence agencies, and cybersecurity experts to protect the celebrities of India.
Fans are sitting and waiting with hope that Shah Rukh will come out safe from the investigation process and sending good wishes for him.
Author
Justice Markandey Katju
