New Delhi: Stree 2 and Welcome actor Mushtaq Khan was reportedly kidnapped on 20 November after being invited to be part of an event in Meerut. This comes close on the heels of comedian Sunil Pal’s kidnapping. Khan was paid an advance amount to attend the event and was even provided with flight tickets. But things took a turn when the actor landed in Delhi.
He was asked to get into a car and was driven off to Bijnor.
The kidnappers tortured Khan for 12 hours and demanded Rs 1 crore as ransom, managing to take Rs 2 lakh. The actor managed to run away after he heard the morning azaan, believing a mosque would be nearby.
He managed to reach home on 21 November.
The Bijnor police have registered a case against the unidentified individuals under Section 364A (kidnapping for ransom) of the Bhartiya Nayaya Sanhita. Multiple teams have also been formed to locate the kidnappers and trace the Scorpio vehicle involved.
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Social media speculation
A few days ago, comedian Sunil Pal was also reportedly kidnapped in Uttar Pradesh. In a strikingly similar situation, Pal was called to Haridwar on the pretext of an event. He reached Delhi, got in a car arranged for him, and was kidnapped after reaching Meerut. A ransom of Rs 20 lakh was demanded from his family, but the comedian paid them Rs 8 lakh and managed to save himself.
“A case was registered under FIR in Mumbai regarding Sunil Pal. The case was transferred to Lal Kurti Police yesterday, and several individuals have been detained for questioning,” said Ayush Vikram Singh, SP City Meerut in a press conference Wednesday.
People on the internet continued to be insensitive and even made jokes about the situation. Referring to Khan’s role in Anees Bazmi’s Welcome, one Instagram user wrote, “Only Uday and majnu can save him.” Uday Shetty and Majnubhai were gangsters in the film, played by Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor respectively.
Some even suspected that the kidnapping of Pal and Khan was a publicity stunt. “Koi movie aa rhi h kya inlog ki kidnapping wali (Is there an upcoming movie about kidnapping?)” wrote one person.
“Shayad majnu bhai ko pata chal gya ke uski taang nakhli nhi thi (Perhaps Majnubhai found out that his leg wasn’t fake),” said an X user, referring to the iconic scene from Welcome.
Many people expressed disbelief. “Omg Are u serious? April fool toh nhi bana Rahe Bhai??? (Is this an April Fools’ joke?)” wrote a fan.
Some even tagged Akshay Kumar, saying Ballu—Khan’s character in Welcome—has been kidnapped.
An X user took offence to Khan being described as the “Welcome actor” and pointed out that he has worked in films such as Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai (1980).
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)