Mumbai Police have arrested three more people from Haryana’s Sonipat district in connection with the October 18 firing at actor Tiger Shroff’s car, taking the total number of arrests to 10. Investigators suspect the attack was orchestrated by Anil Pandit, an alleged operative of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, and are examining whether the actor was targeted after the alleged shooters conducted reconnaissance at the homes of several Bollywood stars.
The three newly arrested accused, identified as Sameer, Jatin and Ankit, allegedly helped plan the attack and arrange weapons and logistical support for the shooters, police said.
Earlier on Wednesday, three key accused — Phool Singh, Rehan Ansari and Hritik Kumar, alias Roshan Ramu Mahto — were brought from Kota in Rajasthan to Mumbai and produced before a magistrate. They have been remanded in police custody until October 31.
Police Suspect Shroff Was Not the Original Target
According to investigators, questioning of the accused has indicated that Shroff may not have been the gang’s original target. The alleged shooters reportedly conducted reconnaissance at the residences of Salman Khan in Bandra, Aamir Khan in Khar and Ranbir Kapoor in Mumbai.
Police officers said Shroff was allegedly selected because he had comparatively less security cover, while the other actors’ residences were considered more difficult to target. Salman Khan and Aamir Khan had previously received threats from the Bishnoi gang, officers added.
The two alleged shooters, Phool Singh and Rehan Ansari, both 18 and from Sonipat, had reportedly stayed in Mumbai for about a month before the incident. They allegedly stayed at lodges in Dadar and spent around ₹2 lakh, including on the Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle believed to have been used in the shooting.
Their alleged accomplice, Hritik Kumar, is originally from Bihar and was living in Mumbai.
Alleged Weapon Supply Network Under Investigation
Delhi Police’s Special Cell arrested four people on Tuesday for allegedly supplying weapons and assisting the shooters. They were identified as Kunal Sanjay, 21, Sumit Soraliya, 19, Radha Verma, 23, and Babita Rao, 23.
Investigators allege that Kunal collected a pistol and 20 rounds of ammunition from Amritsar on Pandit’s instructions, accompanied by Sumit. Kunal then allegedly arranged for Radha and Babita to transport the weapon to Mumbai.
The two women reportedly reached Dadar railway station on October 17. A minor boy allegedly collected the bag containing the firearm near their hotel.
Police further alleged that Jatin accompanied Kunal to Amritsar to collect pistols believed to have been used in the shooting. He later travelled to Mumbai with the alleged shooters, arranged their accommodation and paid them. Ankit allegedly helped with local arrangements, while Sameer is suspected of involvement in the conspiracy and maintaining contact with Pandit.
Investigators are examining financial transactions between the accused and Pandit, who is suspected of having links to the Bishnoi gang. According to Delhi Police, Kunal had recently been released from jail in another criminal case and allegedly received between ₹70,000 and ₹80,000 for arranging the weapons.
Police Seek Electronic and Forensic Evidence
The Mumbai Police Crime Branch told the court that the attack was allegedly carried out at Pandit’s behest. Investigators said they needed to recover the weapons, establish the motive and collect electronic evidence, including call records.
The three accused brought from Kota were identified through CCTV footage and the tracking of the motorcycle allegedly used in the shooting. Police also informed the court that two mobile phones had been destroyed.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the roles of the arrested individuals and identify any other people involved in the alleged conspiracy.
Firing in Juhu Leaves Two Injured
The incident occurred on October 18 when three motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly opened fire at Shroff’s car in Mumbai’s Juhu area. The actor escaped unhurt, while his driver and a bystander were injured. The motorcycle allegedly used in the attack was later found abandoned in Andheri.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Police are verifying the backgrounds of Radha Verma, from Sitapur, and Babita Rao, from Azamgarh.
Sitapur Superintendent of Police Ankur Agarwal said Radha’s parents had informed police that she had married around 10 years ago, divorced approximately five years ago and subsequently lived in the National Capital Region, where she worked at a private firm.
Azamgarh Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar said a joint team of Delhi and Mumbai police took Babita into custody from Kotiyar village. He added that she had previously worked at a packaging unit.
Sonipat Commissioner of Police Mamta Singh said the district police were assisting Mumbai Police with the investigation and arrests.
The case has also drawn attention to interstate criminal networks, with investigators examining the movement of weapons, alleged financial links and the roles of people from different states. However, authorities have not established a common network linking this case to other high-profile crimes, including the 2024 murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique.
