Cops record fisherman's statement in Salman Khan threat case

A police inquiry into an alleged threat made by Bollywood star Salman Khan and his father, to a fisherman's family in suburban Bandra gained momentum, after statements of six members of the latter's family were recorded today.

"The fisherman's family was called to Bandra police station today, where their statements were recorded," a police officer said.

The family has also given investigators a written joint statement.

The actor, his father Salim Khan and at least five of their body guards are likely to be summoned soon, so that their statements too are recorded, the police officer said.
The actor landed in the thick of controversy after the fisherman's family alleged that he, his father Salim Khan and their bodyguards allegedly threatened them to shift their boats and fishing nets from the beach, since these "blocked the sea view" from the star's recently purchased Bandra West suburban sea-facing residence.

Recently, Additional Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil had assured fisherman Lawrence Falcon (65), his family and various citizens' associations, that Deputy Police Commissioner Chhering Dorje would conduct an impartial inquiry into the matter.

Three complaints had already been filed by the fisherman's family at the Bandra police station in September 2011, as well as in May and December last year.

However, instead of registering FIRs against the actor, his father and bodyguards, the police registered only non-cognisable offences, the fisherman had alleged.

The actor had bought two cottages, 'Belle View' and 'Benar', at suburban Bandra West's sea-facing Chimbai area in 2011 and had barricades put up around them.

The fisherman's family, which parks their boats and puts up fishing nets on the beach, had alleged that the actor's bodyguards began harassing them soon after he purchased these cottages.

Falcon had also alleged that plastic sheets used to cover their boats began disappearing. He had alleged that one of his family members was assaulted by the actor's bodyguards.
The family stated that the Khans had also offered them money if they removed their boats and fishing nets from the beach.

Falcon had also alleged that they threatened to sack him from his job as a liftman at Galaxy Apartments, the building in which the Khans have a residence. The fisherman, who is a senior citizen, has been working in the building for the past 40 years.