New Delhi: Amid the ongoing threats to Salman Khan from Lawrence Bishnoi's gang, the actor’s father, Salim Khan, has firmly stated that Salman has no reason to apologise, as he never killed the blackbuck. In an exclusive conversation with ABP News, Salim Khan described the threats as nothing more than a case of extortion. Salman has been the target of increasing death threats over the past year, with the situation worsening in recent months, particularly after the assassination of Baba Siddique.
In the interview, Salim Khan said, "Mafi mangna, ye accept karna hai ki maine maara hai. Salman ney kabhi kisi jaanwar ko nahi maara. Humne kabhi kisi coackroach ko bhi nahi maara. Hum inn cheejo me believe hi nhi karte (Apologising means admitting. Salman never killed any animal. We have never even killed any cockroach. We do not believe in these things)."
He further questioned, "Salman kissey jaake maafi maangey? Aapne kitne logo sey maafi mangi hai, kitne jaanwaro ki aapne jaan bachai hai? (Who should Salman apologise to? How many people have you apologised to, how many animals' lives have you saved?)"
Salim Khan further defended his son’s innocence, stating that Salman had not committed any crime. He said, "Salman Khan jaanwaro se bohut pyaar karta hai. Uske paas ek kutta tha, jabtak woh zinda tha tab tak use acche se rakha. Aur jab woh bimaar hua aur mara hai toh Salman roya. Maine usse pucha ki kisne kiya. Toh bola ki, 'Main toh tha bhi nahi'. Woh mujhse jhooth nahi bolega. Usko nahi hai shaukh jaanwaro ko maarne ka. Jaanwaro se mohabbat karta hai woh (Salman Khan loves animals. He had a dog whom he loved and treated well. When he fell ill and died, Salman cried. I asked him (about the blackbuck incident) who had done it? He said, 'I wasn't even there.’ he won't lie to me. He doesn't fancy killing animals. he loves animals)."
He added, "Koi gunaah kiya hai? Aapne dekha hai? Aapko maloom hai, jaanch padtaal ki hai? Humne toh kabhi bandook bhi use nahi ki (Has he committed any crime? Have you seen him? Have you investigated the matter? We have never even used a gun)."
Salim Khan made it clear that any demand for an apology would be unfounded. "Maafi bhi usse maangi jaati hai jiske sath aapne gunaah kiya ho ya takleef di ho. Jisko dhokha diya ho, jiske paise kha gaye ho. Ye extortion hai (Apology is also sought from the person against whom you have committed a crime or caused trouble. The person whom you have cheated, whose money you have stolen. This is extortion)," he said.
Salim Khan Says No Connection Between Baba Siddiqui's Murder and Salman Khan
Salim Khan also denied any connection between Salman and the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, which had been speculated due to Siddique’s close relationship with the actor. He explained that the family sees no link between the two events and finds it difficult to understand how such a connection could even be made. According to Salim Khan, if Lawrence Bishnoi is involved in Siddique's killing, it has nothing to do with Salman, as it stems from a separate issue, likely a property dispute.
ALSO READ: ABP News Exclusive: Salim Khan Dismisses Links Between Salman Khan And Baba Siddique's Murder
Salman Khan receives fresh threat
The Crime Branch launched a probe earlier today after the Mumbai traffic police got a threatening WhatsApp message seeking Rs 5 crore from Salman Khan. After the city's traffic control room got the message via its WhatsApp hotline, a complaint was launched at the Worli police station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for threat and extortion, according to PTI.
The Mumbai Traffic Police got a threatening note that cautioned, "Don't take it lightly, if Salman Khan wants to stay alive and wants to end the enmity with Lawrence Bishnoi, then he will have to pay Rs 5 crore. If the money is not given, Salman Khan's condition will be worse than Baba Siddique."