On Friday night, the quiet of Bareilly was shattered when several gunshots rang out outside the residence of Bollywood actress Disha Patani. While initial reports suggested a threat to the actor, it later emerged that the actual target of the attack was her father, Jagdish Patani, a retired police officer. Authorities have confirmed that the firing, which included at least two rounds of aerial shots, took place around 4:30 am and was linked to alleged remarks made about Hindu saints Premanand Maharaj and Anidruddhacharya Maharaj. Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident.
The Goldy Brar gang, a group notorious for its violent operations, has openly claimed responsibility for the attack. Investigations reveal that this was not an act of random violence but a calculated attempt on Jagdish Patani’s life. An FIR lodged with the Bareilly Police stated that around 3:30 am, Jagdish was alerted by his dogs to suspicious movement outside his balcony. When he questioned the individuals, one of them reportedly shouted, “Kill him,” before opening fire. Patani narrowly escaped by taking cover behind a balcony pillar.
Interestingly, this was not the first scare for the Patani family. Just a day earlier, on September 11, a similar incident was reported around 4:33 am, though police have yet to find evidence supporting that first episode. The FIR makes it clear that the attackers fired from close range with the intent to kill. Investigators believe the firing is tied to social media comments made by Jagdish’s daughter, Khushboo, which were allegedly construed as offensive to revered saints.
Soon after the incident, a threatening online message surfaced, in which the Goldy Brar gang not only claimed responsibility but also warned of further action should such remarks continue. This chilling message has put the entire family under intense scrutiny and heightened risk. In response, the police have begun scanning CCTV footage from both the house and surrounding areas, while also increasing security deployment around the Patani residence to ensure the family’s safety.
Speaking out a day later, Jagdish Patani firmly defended his daughter, stressing that Khushboo’s remarks had been misinterpreted. He clarified that her statements were wrongly connected to spiritual leader Premanand Ji Maharaj and insisted that the controversy was blown out of proportion. Despite his clarification, the incident has sparked alarm in the city, with residents concerned about the rising brazenness of gangs carrying out targeted attacks.
The investigation is ongoing, with police trying to track down the attackers and probe deeper into the gang’s involvement. For now, the Patani family remains under strict security cover as authorities attempt to prevent further escalation.
