New Delhi: Two alleged shooters from Punjab have been arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly conspiring to fire shots outside the Mumbai residence of Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan and perform an extortion related shooting on a businessman in Delhi.
Police sources said that the gangsters told one of the shooters to stay in the city for longer to carry out an attack outside Bachchan’s residence. The motive for targeting the actor was allegedly due to remarks he has allegedly made about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He has denied making such comments.
The accused arrested are Vikas Thakur alias Vicky, aged 25, from Jalandhar and Deepak Singh alias Deep from Tarn Taran district in Punjab. They allegedly worked for an overseas gangster.
They were arrested during separate operations by the Delhi Police Special Cell with help from the Mumbai Police.
Vikas had travelled to Delhi as instructed by the overseas gangster to perform a firing attack on a businessman in order to commit extortion, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Narra Chaitanya said. Deepak was also scheduled to travel to Delhi. However, Vikas was arrested before the attack could be carried out.
After Vikas’ arrest, police were able to trace Deepak who was allegedly hiding in Mumbai after the October 3 murder of Instagram influencer Mad Sandhu in Amritsar.
Two Different Roles In Attacks On Delhi Businessman And Amitabh Bachchan
Police said that the two accused had different roles given to them by the overseas gangster.
Vikas Thakur had travelled to Delhi to perform a shooting attack on a businessman in an extortion attempt. Deepak Singh was also set to take part in an attack. However, Vikas was arrested.
During questioning, police allegedly discovered that Deepak had been told to stay in the city for longer and perform a firing attack outside Amitabh Bachchan’s residence.
The gangster wanted to target Bachchan due to alleged comments he made about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. It is claimed that Bachchan made anti-Sikh slogans after the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. He has denied making such comments.
Deepak Singh Wanted In Mad Sandhu Murder Case
Deepak Singh is also wanted in relation to the October 3 murder of Instagram influencer Mad Sandhu in Amritsar.
Sandhu, whose real name is Madhusudan Sandhu, was shot dead by motorcyclists on Loharka Road in Amritsar. During police investigations, several suspects were identified and arrested.
It is alleged that Deepak and his associate Palwinder Singh alias Kaka were involved in the attack. Palwinder has already been arrested by Punjab Police while Deepak was traced to Mumbai.
Why Was Amitabh Bachchan Targeted In 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Controversy?
The controversy surrounding Amitabh Bachchan stems from the anti-Sikh violence that occurred after the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.
Some Sikh groups and individuals, including 1984 riots witness Jagdish Kaur have claimed that Bachchan made pro-violence slogans against Sikhs outside the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi.
It is alleged that he waved his hands and made pro-violence remarks including “blood for blood” during a Doordarshan broadcast after the assassination of Indira Gandhi. However, he has denied making any anti-Sikh comments.
In October 2014, a civil case was filed against Bachchan by the organisation Sikhs for Justice in a federal court in Los Angeles. They claimed he made pro-violence remarks against the Sikh community during the 1984 riots. He has denied these allegations.
Criminal Record Of Two Shooters
Vikas Thakur allegedly had a criminal record involving snatching and illegal gambling before joining organised crime, police said.
He started supplying illegal firearms to Anmol Bishnoi, the brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in 2023, investigators said. He then allegedly joined forces with gangsters Anil Pandit and Randeep Malik and helped them obtain weapons, recruit members and gather intelligence for extortion.
Deepak Singh used to work as a truck helper and driver. Police said he allegedly joined organised crime after meeting members of a local gang.
A case has been registered under the Arms Act at the Delhi Police Special Cell police station. Both accused are being questioned to identify the foreign gangster they were working for and if there were others involved.
The investigation is looking into the connection between the two accused, attacks and organised crime.