Mumbai police have arrested a suspect in connection with recent death threats made against Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. The accused, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, claimed during questioning that his phone had been stolen and that he was not responsible for sending the threatening messages.
Last week, a call demanding ₹50 lakh and threatening Shah Rukh Khan was received by the Bandra police station. The police filed a case against the caller under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 308(4) (extortion with threats of death or serious damage) and 351(3)(4) (criminal intimidation).
Faizan Khan, a lawyer in Chhattisgarh, was the target of police scrutiny. The threat call was placed using a phone number that was registered in the Raipur lawyer's name, therefore he was called. After failing to appear before the police, he was taken into custody. After visiting Raipur, the Mumbai police called Faizan Khan, who resides inside the boundaries of the Pandri police station.
Last week, Ajay Kumar, the Superintendent of Police (CSP-Civil Lines), told that Faizan Khan had complained to the Khamardih police station about losing his phone.The threat call from his phone number was part of a plot against him, Faizan informed the media. "I reported the theft of my phone on November 2. I reported it to the Mumbai police. For around two hours, they questioned me," he told.
However, he claimed to have filed a complaint against Shah Rukh Khan for a line about deer hunting in his 1994 film "Anjaam." "My home state is Rajasthan. My companion is a member of the Rajasthani Bishnoi community. They have a religious obligation to safeguard deer. Therefore, it is unacceptable for a Muslim to say something like this about deer. Thus, I protested," he stated. "It appears that whoever called from my phone did it on purpose. "I believe there is a plot against me," he continued.
Fans of Shah Rukh Khan have voiced their relief at the swift action taken by police, while also expressing concern over his safety. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of support for the actor, with the hashtag #StaySafeSRK trending nationwide. Many of Khan’s colleagues in the film industry have also come forward to condemn the threats and call for stronger protection of public figures who face such incidents.
This recent threat is not the first instance where a Bollywood star has been targeted; prominent figures in the Indian entertainment industry have occasionally faced similar situations. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring Khan’s safety and bringing any involved parties to justice.
