Mumbai: Bollywood, and indeed the entire country, was left stunned at the news of shots being fired outside Disha Patani’s Civil Lines home in Bareilly.
Police confirmed that the shooting occurred around 4.30 am on Friday, with multiple rounds of aerial firing reported. There was no report of any injury.
Members of Rohit Godara and Goldy Brar gang claimed responsibility for the firing in a Facebook post, for disrespecting Hindu saints Premanand Maharaj and Anidruddhacharya Maharaj.
The message, written in Hindi, named two persons, and issued a warning to the film industry, reported India Today.
“Jai Shri Ram.. I, Virendra Charan, Mahendra Saran (Delana). Brothers, today the firing that happened at Khushboo Patani/Disha Patani’s (Bollywood actress) house (Villa No. 40, Civil Lines, Bareilly, UP), we got it done. She insulted our revered saints (Premanand Ji Maharaj and Aniruddhacharya Ji Maharaj). She tried to demean our Sanatan Dharma. The insult of our deities will not be tolerated. This was just a trailer. Next time, if she or anyone else shows disrespect towards our religion, then no one in their house will be left alive,” the message threatened.
“This message is not just for her, but also for all the artists of the film industry and those associated with them. Whoever in the future commits such an insulting act against our religion and saints should be ready to face the consequences. To protect our religion, we are ready to go to any extent. We will never back down. For us, our religion and society are one, and protecting them is our first duty,” the post further said.
Investigators believe the assailants conducted a recce of Disha’s house before carrying out the attack. Two men on a motorcycle fired the shots. They reportedly entered Bareilly via Delhi-Lucknow highway, fired near the residence, and exited the city using the same highway within 7-8 minutes.
In July, Disha’s younger sister Khushboo Patani had posted an Instagram story which contained derogatory remarks against Aniruddhacharya Ji. The remarks were initially linked to Premanand Maharaj, but Khushboo clarified in a video message that her comments were directed only at Aniruddhacharya Maharaj.