Arrested: Sharpshooter who shot bullets at Rakesh Roshan in 2000 held in Thane

A criminal who was allegedly involved in the attack on Bollywood filmmaker Rakesh Roshan has been arrested in Thane, Mumbai. 

The accused, Sunil V Gaikwad (52), was arrested from Parsik Circle area in Kalwa around 9 pm on Friday. “We had received a tip-off that Gaikwad is coming to Parsik Circle area. Accordingly, we laid a trap and caught him,” senior inspector of Central Crime Unit Anil Honrao said.

“The accused has 11 cases of murder and seven cases of attempt to murder registered against him. One of these includes attempt on Bollywood director Rakesh Roshan’s life in 2000,” he said.

Hrithik Roshan's father Rakesh Roshan was attacked outside his office in Santacruz, Mumbai in January 2000. The assailants had fired six rounds, of which two bullets had hit Roshan, police said.

The accused has been arrested nearly three months after he jumped parole.Gaikwad had been sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case and was lodged at Nashik central jail. However, he came out on a 28-day parole on June 26 this year,” the official said.

“He was expected to return to the jail after completion of the parole period. However, he did not do so. He was hiding till his arrest last night", Hanrao added. 

An offence of escape has also been registered against Gaikwad and he will be handed over to the Pant Nagar police.