Mumbai’s Oshiwara neighborhood was shaken by gunfire echoes earlier this month, thrusting film critic Kamal Rashid Khan, popularly known as KRK, into the spotlight as the prime suspect. In a significant development, a metropolitan magistrate court in Andheri granted him bail on a personal bond of 25,000 rupees, just a week after his arrest.
The incident unfolded on the evening of January 23 when residents of a residential building in Oshiwara heard two sharp bursts of gunfire. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the alarm was immediate. Among the residents were writer-director Neeraj Kumar Mishra and model Prateek Vaidya, who alerted authorities after hearing the shots late at night.
Police swiftly zeroed in on KRK’s nearby residence as the source. They arrested him that same evening following preliminary questioning and subjected him to intense interrogation over several days, including a scene recreation at the site. Investigators recovered live cartridges from the spot and seized his licensed firearm.
During questioning, KRK maintained that he had no intent to harm anyone. He claimed he was merely cleaning his gun when it accidentally discharged. In court, his defense argued that he is often targeted due to his outspoken criticism of Bollywood celebrities. They even suggested the involvement of an unidentified individual who might have fired the shots, dismissing police claims as fabricated.
This isn’t KRK’s first brush with controversy. The self-proclaimed critic has a history of legal troubles stemming from his provocative social media posts and videos targeting film stars. As he walks free on bail, the investigation continues, with police expected to delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the firing. The case highlights ongoing concerns about firearm safety and licensed weapons in urban residential areas.