Vicky Gupta, an accused in the April firing incident outside Salman Khan's residence, has filed a bail application in a special court, claiming he was influenced by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's principles but denies direct involvement from Bishnoi in the crime. Gupta argues that financial struggles and debt led him to participate in the act, which he asserts was meant to intimidate Khan over the 1998 blackbuck poaching case rather than to harm him. He details how he lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic and was subsequently encouraged by co-accused Sagar Pal to engage in the act under the guise of a 'religious mission.' Gupta's lawyers stress that he is a victim of circumstances, citing his admiration for Bishnoi's ideology rather than any direct manipulation. The prosecution's response to Gupta's bail plea is pending, with the next hearing scheduled for August 13, 2024. This case continues to highlight the intersection of crime, celebrity culture, and social media influence in contemporary India.