In a case reminiscent of a Bollywood plot, 24-year-old lyricist Sohail Pasha has been arrested for allegedly issuing death threats to actor Salman Khan and himself to garner publicity for his song “Main Sikandar Hun.” The Mumbai Police apprehended Pasha in Raichur, Karnataka, following a detailed investigation into the threats received earlier this month.
On November 7, the Mumbai Police’s WhatsApp helpline received a message threatening that both Salman Khan and the lyricist of “Main Sikandar Hun” would be killed if ₹5 crore was not paid. The message ominously stated, “The songwriter’s condition will be such that he will no longer be able to write songs. If Salman Khan has the courage, he should save them.” Given the recent history of threats against Salman Khan, particularly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang over the 1998 blackbuck poaching case, the police took this warning seriously.
The Crime Branch traced the origin of the threat to a mobile number registered in Raichur. Upon reaching Karnataka, investigators interrogated Vyankatesh Narayan, the owner of the number, who revealed that his phone lacked internet access. Further probing uncovered that Narayan’s phone had received a one-time password (OTP) for WhatsApp installation. Narayan recalled that on November 3, a stranger had approached him in a market, requesting to use his phone to make a call.
The investigation revealed that this individual had used Narayan’s number to obtain the OTP necessary to install WhatsApp on his own device. This led the police to identify and arrest Sohail Pasha in Manavi village near Raichur. He was subsequently transported to Mumbai, where a court remanded him to police custody for two days.
This incident occurred amid a series of threats against Salman Khan, allegedly from Lawrence Bishnoi and his associates, related to grievances stemming from the 1998 blackbuck poaching case. In April, shots were fired outside Salman Khan’s Mumbai residence, prompting authorities to upgrade his security to the Y-plus category.
The arrest of Sohail Pasha underscores the lengths individuals may go to seek attention in the entertainment industry. By fabricating threats, Sohail Pasha aimed to draw public interest to his song, inadvertently highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement in distinguishing genuine threats from publicity stunts.
The Mumbai Police continue to monitor threats against high-profile individuals, ensuring that security measures are in place to protect them from potential harm. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying the authenticity of threats and the consequences of misusing law enforcement resources for personal gain.
