Manish Gupta booked for stabbing driver—why is arrest still pending?

Filmmaker Manish Gupta has been formally booked for allegedly stabbing his driver, Rajibul Islam Lashkar, following a dispute over delayed salary payments. The incident occurred Thursday night at Gupta's residence in the Sagar Sanjog building, Mumbai, according to police from the Versova station.

Gupta faces charges under sections 118(2), 115(2), and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which include voluntarily causing grievous hurt by a dangerous weapon and intentional insult to provoke breach of peace. Despite the serious allegations, police confirmed that Gupta has not yet been arrested.

Lashkar, 32, who has worked for Gupta for three years, reportedly earned a monthly salary of ₹23,000. The FIR states Lashkar alleged he was never paid on time, which led to the argument culminating in the stabbing.

Manish Gupta is a noted screenwriter and director, known for films such as The Stoneman Murders and 420 IPC. His latest directorial work was the 2023 legal drama One Friday Night, starring and Milind Soman.

The delay in Gupta's arrest has raised questions, as police continue their investigation. Authorities have yet to clarify the reasons behind the pending arrest despite the filing of the FIR and the gravity of the charges.

"Gupta has been booked under sections 118(2), 115(2) and 352 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapon, intentional insult to provoke breach of peace and other offences, but is yet to be arrested," a police official said.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about timely justice and accountability in incidents involving prominent individuals.

Filmmaker Manish Gupta has been booked for allegedly stabbing his driver, Rajibul Islam Lashkar, over a salary dispute at his Mumbai residence. Despite charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including grievous hurt, Gupta's arrest remains pending, police said Friday.