‘Sar mein GOLI..Manisha Koirala’s mental state..’: Retired cop REVEALS how Abu Salem KILLED actress’ secretary

Retired Mumbai Police encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma recently revisited one of the most disturbing intersections of Bollywood and organized crime from the early 2000s. He spoke about the killing of Ajit Dewani, who was the personal secretary of actress Manisha Koirala. Sharma’s account highlights the fear that underworld figures like Abu Salem created in the film industry and the consequences of their influence.

Ajit Dewani was shot dead outside his office in Mumbai’s Oshiwara area on June 30, 2001. Investigations later suggested that his murder was connected to underworld extortion and was ordered by Abu Salem, a gangster whose influence reached deep into Mumbai’s crime network. Salem was arrested in Portugal in 2002 and extradited to India in 2005 to face charges including murder, extortion, and organized crime.

Sharma explained the terror Abu Salem created in the industry. Speaking to Subhojit Ghosh, he said, “Ajit Diwani ka murder karaya tha. Abhi Ajit Diwani Manisha Koirala, jo actress hai, unka secretary tha. Toh Abu Salem ka aisa terror tha ki koi bhi uska phone uthane se darta tha. Isko Lieutenant bolte the industry mein. Matlab even cameraman se bhi usne aggression dikhaya tha. Kisi ko chhoda nahi tha. To iska phone hi log uthaate nahi the.” His words show how people in the industry avoided even simple communication because of fear.

Ajit Diwani ka murder karaya tha. Abhi Ajit Diwani Manisha Koirala, jo actress hai, unka secretary tha. Toh Abu Salem ka aisa terror tha ki koi bhi uska phone uthane se darta tha. Isko Lieutenant bolte the industry mein. Matlab even cameraman se bhi usne aggression dikhaya tha. Kisi ko chhoda nahi tha. To iska phone hi log uthaate nahi the

- Pradeep Sharma

Since no one dared to answer Salem’s calls directly, messages had to be relayed through intermediaries. Sharma said, “To phone nahi utha rahe the, to unko message dene ke liye industry ko mera phone uthao. To uske phone normally secretary uthate the. Ji. To secretary ko sir mein goli marwa di thi. Wo case hum logon ne hi open kiya tha.” Dewani’s secretary was tragically shot in the head, and the police reopened the case to investigate fully.

Sharma also reflected on the emotional impact on those involved. When asked about Manisha Koirala's mental state, Sharma says, “Aap sochiye na, kaisi mental state rahi hogi? Puri industry ka mental state kaise rahi hogi? Industry wale basically matlab god-fearing log hote hain. Ye entertainment karna unka kaam hai, hansana unka kaam hai. Unko to naturally sab matlab dar ka mahaul tha.” He described an environment of fear that affected not just the immediate victims but the entire Bollywood community.

To phone nahi utha rahe the, to unko message dene ke liye industry ko mera phone uthao. To uske phone normally secretary uthate the. Ji. To secretary ko sir mein goli marwa di thi. Wo case hum logon ne hi open kiya tha.

- Pradeep Sharma

He concluded, “Wo start ho gaye, fir jo chahte the, wahi hua. Wahi hua.” His statement underlines how the underworld was able to execute its plans with chilling efficiency and leave a lasting impact on everyone involved.

The Dewani murder remains one of the most infamous cases showing how organized crime once reached into Bollywood, shaping both personal lives and professional dynamics. The case continues to be remembered as a stark reminder of the dark intersection between crime and the entertainment world. It exposed the vulnerability of those working in the industry during that era and highlighted how fear and influence often dictated outcomes. Even years later, it remains a subject of discussion in crime history, reflecting how deeply such incidents can scar individuals, families, and the broader cultural landscape of cinema.