November 12, 2024: A Chhattisgarh-based lawyer, Faizan Khan, was arrested on Tuesday by Mumbai Police for allegedly issuing a death threat to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and demanding a ransom of Rs 50 lakh. The arrest took place at Faizan Khan's residence in Raipur after an investigation traced the threat call to a phone number registered in his name.

The threat, which was received by the Bandra police station in Mumbai last week, led to the registration of an extortion case. According to police sources, the message warned of harm to Khan, who is currently riding high on the success of his latest film Jawan. Faizan Khan had earlier claimed he would travel to Mumbai on November 14 to provide a statement to the Bandra police, but he later expressed concerns for his safety, citing threats he had received in the past two days. In light of this, he requested that his statement be recorded virtually, addressing his fears to the Mumbai Police Commissioner.

Khan's arrest comes amid growing concerns over threats to Bollywood celebrities, including the recent string of extortion demands and threats to actor Salman Khan, allegedly from the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Upon investigating the threat call, Mumbai Police discovered that the call had been made from a phone registered to Faizan Khan. A team from the Mumbai Police traveled to Raipur for questioning. However, Faizan initially denied involvement, claiming he had lost his phone on November 2 and filed a complaint regarding it. He also alleged that the threat call made from his number was part of a conspiracy against him.

Faizan Khan further claimed that he had previously filed a complaint against Shah Rukh Khan at the Bandra police station. He accused the actor of promoting religious enmity, pointing to a scene in the 1993 film Anjaam, where Khan's character allegedly kills a deer, a matter he argued was offensive to the Bishnoi community, known for their religious reverence for animals. Faizan Khan, who hails from Rajasthan, stated that he was motivated to take a stand against the actor's portrayal of the incident, which he said "condoned" the killing of a deer.

In a video posted on YouTube, Faizan also suggested that Shah Rukh Khan might have links to terrorist elements, although no evidence supporting these claims has emerged.

This is not the first time Shah Rukh Khan has been the target of a death threat. In October 2023, the actor received another threat, prompting the government to provide him with enhanced security. Khan, who is one of the most prominent figures in the Indian film industry, was given Y+ level security following the threats.

The Mumbai Police's swift action in this case highlights the growing concerns over the safety of celebrities in the wake of increasing incidents of threats and extortion demands. Faizan Khan's arrest underscores the seriousness with which law enforcement is addressing such matters, ensuring that individuals found guilty of such offenses face legal consequences.