KOTA: In a major breakthrough in the firing case involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, Rajasthan’s Anti-Gangster Task Force and Kota City Police have arrested three suspects who were travelling on the Pune-Jaipur Express. The accused were attempting to evade law enforcement after the shooting in Mumbai’s Juhu area.
According to preliminary reports, two of the accused are from Haryana, while the third is from Bihar. Investigators suspect that all three are associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Three suspects identified, including a minor
The arrested suspects include a 17-year-old minor from Sonipat in Haryana, 22-year-old Hritik Kumar, alias Roshan, from Begusarai in Bihar, and 18-year-old Rehan from Sonipat.
Kumar reportedly lives in Mumbai’s Andheri West area and works as a Rapido rider. According to preliminary findings, two of the suspects were hired to carry out the shooting, while the third is suspected of helping them escape after the incident.
The arrests were made following information shared by Mumbai Police with the Rajasthan authorities. Investigating agencies are expected to question the accused to establish the sequence of events, their individual roles and the possible involvement of other persons.
Shooters tracked Tiger Shroff’s movements
According to reports citing investigating sources, the assailants monitored Shroff’s weekly routine before carrying out the attack. They are suspected of knowing that the actor regularly visited a football ground in Mumbai’s Juhu area on Sundays.
The suspects tracked his movements and timed the attack as he was leaving the venue in his car. Investigators are also examining whether the accused conducted reconnaissance in advance and whether the attack was part of a larger criminal plan.
The incident took place on October 18 evening when unidentified assailants allegedly opened fire at Shroff’s car in Juhu. The actor escaped without injuries, while his driver and another person were reported injured.
Suspects followed a planned escape route
After the firing, the assailants travelled along SV Road through Vile Parle and Andheri. They reportedly abandoned their motorcycle near Andheri West railway station before boarding a train towards Borivali.
Preliminary intelligence suggested that the suspects subsequently crossed the Maharashtra border and entered Gujarat while attempting to evade law enforcement. Their eventual arrest at Kota railway station marked a significant development in the inter-state investigation.
The recovery of evidence, the identification of any associates and the reconstruction of the suspects’ movements are likely to be important aspects of the ongoing probe.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has reportedly claimed responsibility for the firing through a social media post. However, police have not yet verified the authenticity of the claim, and investigators will need to establish whether the accused acted at the gang’s direction.
Authorities are examining the possible links between the arrested suspects and the alleged criminal network, including the motive behind the attack and whether additional individuals were involved in planning or facilitating it.
Eknath Shinde warns against gang violence
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has issued a strong warning against criminal gang activity in Mumbai. He visited Shroff at his residence in Bandra late Sunday night to enquire about the actor’s well-being and speak with his family. Shinde assured the family that adequate security would be provided and said those responsible for the firing would face a strong response. Referring to the action taken against organised criminal networks during the 1990s, Shinde said the time had come to uproot such gangs once again.
The arrests in Kota have expanded the investigation beyond Maharashtra, highlighting the inter-state movement allegedly used by the suspects to evade police. Investigators are now expected to focus on establishing the motive, verifying the gang connection and determining whether the attack involved a wider network.
