Mumbai: The investigation into the firing incident targeting actor Tiger Shroff's car in Mumbai has taken a significant turn, with three accused arrested at Rajasthan's Kota railway station. The suspects include a 17-year-old from Haryana, a 22-year-old who worked as a Rapido bike-taxi rider in Mumbai and an 18-year-old Haryana resident. The arrests were carried out by the Anti-Gangster Task Force in coordination with Rajasthan Police while the three were traveling on a train from Mumbai towards Delhi. Investigators are now examining their alleged roles in the shooting and the circumstances surrounding their movements after the incident.
The firing took place in Mumbai's Juhu area on Sunday evening when motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly opened fire at Shroff's car as he was leaving a football club. The actor escaped direct gunshot injuries, although his driver and another person were injured. The arrests mark an important development in the case, but the investigation into the alleged involvement of the accused remains underway.
Who Are the Three Accused in the Tiger Shroff Firing Case?
The arrested suspects reportedly include two Haryana residents aged 17 and 18, along with a 22-year-old man originally from Bihar who was living in Mumbai. The 17-year-old is from Haryana's Sonipat district. His identity and other identifying details have been withheld because of legal protections applicable to minors accused of crimes.
The second accused has been identified as Hrithik Kumar, also known as Roshan. The 22-year-old is originally from Piprai in Bihar's Begusarai district and was living in the Andheri West area of Mumbai. He reportedly worked as a Rapido rider. The third accused, Rehan, is 18 and reportedly resides in Idgah Colony in Haryana's Sonipat district. Police are investigating the alleged roles of the three men in the attack. Their arrest does not, by itself, establish their guilt.
How Were the Suspects Tracked Down in Kota?
The three accused were apprehended at Kota railway station while traveling on a train from Mumbai towards Delhi. The operation involved the Anti-Gangster Task Force and Rajasthan Police, following efforts to trace those allegedly involved in the Juhu shooting. Mumbai Police had launched a search for the attackers after the incident. Investigators were examining CCTV footage and gathering information about the suspects' movements and their suspected escape route.
The arrests in Rajasthan represent a key development in the inter-state investigation as police seek to establish the sequence of events before and after the firing.
Did the Attackers Conduct a Recce Before the Shooting?
Investigators are also examining whether the attackers had monitored Shroff's movements before the incident. According to sources cited in reports about the case, the assailants allegedly knew about the actor's regular Sunday visits to the football ground. Investigators suspect that the area may have been surveyed before the shooting.
If established prior surveillance could help investigators understand how the attackers selected the location and timed the assault. Police will need to corroborate these suspicions through evidence, witness accounts and other investigative findings. The precise motive behind the attack and the extent of each accused person's alleged involvement remain matters for investigation.
What Happened During the Firing Outside the Juhu Football Club?
The incident occurred at approximately 7 pm on Sunday as Shroff was leaving a football club in Mumbai's Juhu neighbourhood. According to the available account, motorcycle-borne assailants fired multiple rounds towards the actor's car before fleeing on a motorcycle.
Shroff escaped direct gunshot injuries, while his driver and another person were reportedly hurt. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde subsequently visited the actor's residence and assured him and his family of the state government's support. Shinde said the actor had suffered injuries to his hand from gunpowder and glass fragments. The incident triggered heightened security concerns in Mumbai, particularly after claims circulated online suggesting a possible connection with organized crime.
Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Claim Under Police Verification
Social media posts and an audio message attributed to individuals named Anil Pandit and Harman Sandhu have purportedly claimed responsibility for the shooting on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The messages allegedly linked the attack to warnings involving Shroff and individuals in the film industry associated with actor Salman Khan. However, police are verifying the authenticity and credibility of these claims.
A purported online claim of responsibility does not independently establish who carried out or ordered an attack. Investigators will need to establish whether the messages are genuine and whether any alleged connection is supported by evidence. Following the incident, security was tightened outside Salman Khan's Galaxy Apartments residence in Mumbai's Bandra area. Police personnel wearing bulletproof jackets were deployed outside the building.
Eknath Shinde Visits Tiger Shroff After Shooting
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited Shroff's residence on Sunday night following the firing incident. During the visit, Shinde assured the actor and his family of the state government's support. His remarks came as Mumbai Police continued efforts to identify the attackers and determine the circumstances behind the shooting.
The incident has also prompted questions about security arrangements around prominent film personalities and the potential risks posed by threats allegedly linked to organized criminal networks.
What Happens Next in the Tiger Shroff Firing Investigation?
With three accused now arrested in Kota, investigators are expected to focus on establishing their individual roles, examining possible links with the attackers and verifying the suspected motive. The probe is also examining CCTV footage, the alleged recce of the area and the claims circulating on social media. Investigators will need to establish whether the arrested men were directly involved in the shooting and whether others may have planned or facilitated the attack.
For now, the arrests mark a major step in the investigation, but several questions remain unanswered. The authenticity of the purported gang claim, the motive behind the attack and the full chain of alleged involvement are yet to be conclusively established.