In an unexpected development in the investigation into the latest death threat made againstBollywood megastar Salman Khan, Mumbai Police have revealed the underlying motive behind the alarming message. The threat, which was initially suspected to be connected to organized crime, turned out to be the work of a young man who sought internet fame.

Accused Nabbed Within Hours: Confesses Social Media Obsession

Authorities swiftly detained a man identified as Mayank Pandya shortly after a threatening message was sent to the Mumbai Traffic Police via WhatsApp. The message warned of a bomb being planted in Salman Khan’s vehicle and hinted at an attack on the actor’s residence. The police immediately sprang into action, tracing the message to a mobile number registered in Vadodara, Gujarat. Pandya was located and apprehended within a few hours.

During interrogation, Pandya made a startling confession. He admitted that the message was not intended to be a genuine threat but was part of a calculated move to gain popularity on social media, particularly Instagram. Inspired by previous threats made against Khan by the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi gang, Pandya had decided to imitate those incidents to grab public and media attention.

A Troubled Past and Mental Health History

Further investigations into Pandya’s background revealed more about his struggles. According to reports published by Free Press Journal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 3), Dattatray Kamble, confirmed that the threatening message was indeed sent from Pandya’s mobile phone. Digging deeper, the police discovered that Pandya has a documented history of mental health issues dating back to 2014.

The 25-year-old reportedly began undergoing psychiatric treatment after witnessing a deeply traumatic event — the accidental electrocution and subsequent death of his grandfather. Since then, he has been on and off treatment, with medical records confirming his condition. Pandya, who helps his parents run a juice shop in Vadodara, has remained largely under the radar until this recent incident.

Family Left Stunned, Authorities Appreciate Cooperation

When Mumbai Police officers reached Pandya’s home, his family was caught completely off guard. According to a police source, his parents and close relatives had no idea about the message or his intentions. “They were shocked,” the source said. The family has since been fully cooperative with the authorities and has provided all necessary information to aid the ongoing investigation.

Background: Salman Khan’s Security Under Scrutiny Amid Multiple Threats

This incident is only the latest in a string of threats received by Salman Khan since April 2024. The superstar’s security has been a matter of concern, especially after two unidentified men on a motorcycle fired four rounds outside his residence at Galaxy Apartments in Mumbai. Since that attack, there have been multiple threatening messages directed at the actor, keeping both the public and law enforcement agencies on edge.

Authorities continue to take every threat seriously, even in cases like this, where the message turned out to be a misguided attempt at gaining social media attention. Police have urged the public to refrain from such actions, reminding citizens that sending hoax threats is a punishable offense under Indian law and creates unnecessary panic and strain on law enforcement resources.