Police investigation is progressing continuously in the case of firing on Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai. Many important information has come to light about 22-year-old Hrithik Mahato alias Roshan, one of the three accused arrested in this case. According to police sources, Hrithik allegedly joined the Lawrence Bishnoi gang about a year ago. He is accused of helping both the shooters who shot at the actor. The police is now trying to find out whether Hrithik had committed any crime before.
According to the report of ‘The Indian Express’, initial investigation has revealed that Hrithik had driven the motorcycle used in the firing. On the evening of Sunday, October 18, five rounds were fired at Tiger Shroff in Juhu area of Mumbai. Apart from Hrithik, 18 year old Phool Singh and 18 year old Rehan Rahisuddin have been arrested in this case. All three were caught from Kota in Rajasthan on Monday morning.
A few hours after the firing, America-based gangster Anil Pandit took responsibility for the attack through an alleged audio clip. In this clip he also hinted that the attack was related to Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
What did the police tell about Hrithik?
According to police sources, Hrithik lived alone in a rented room in Andheri area of Mumbai. He used to ride a bike for Rapido, but he had no regular job. Police allege that he helped both the shooters, who had reached Mumbai a few days before the firing. According to the police, after the target was decided, another member of the gang handled both the shooters and made them meet Hrithik in Mumbai. Sources related to the investigation say that both the shooters were living with Hrithik for the last few days. Police are now also finding out who had sent Hrithik to Mumbai and whether he had already been given the responsibility of keeping an eye on any Bollywood celebrity.
Bought the bike for Rs 24,500, did not get the name transferred
The investigation has also revealed information about buying and selling of the motorcycle used for firing. According to police sources, Hrithik had bought this bike through a friend on September 12 for Rs 24,500. The previous owner of the bike lived in Juhu Gali. Hrithik had allegedly promised to get the bike transferred in his name, but he did not submit the necessary documents for it. His photo was also included in these.
Who sold the bike to whom?
This motorcycle is of Bajaj Pulsar 220 cc model. According to the police, before reaching Hrithik, this bike had passed through the hands of three people. Sources associated with the investigation said that the bike was first purchased in 2014 by a person living in Meghwadi area of Jogeshwari. He sold it in 2022 to another person living in Dindoshi area of Malad. The second owner further sold the bike to a third person, who has been identified as Ismail. Ismail lives in Juhu Gali near Gilbert Hill in Andheri West.
During the police investigation, this motorcycle was seen outside Andheri railway station. On the basis of its registration number, the police first traced the owner. After interrogating him, information was received about the second owner. After this the police reached Ismail. According to officials, on the basis of further investigation and technical evidence, Hrithik’s connection with this bike was established.
Had changed his appearance before firing
Police are also investigating whether Hrithik had changed his appearance to hide his identity. According to sources, when he came to Mumbai, his hair was long. However, he had got his hair cut about 10 days before the firing. The police are now trying to find out why he did this and whether there was any plan behind it to escape from the police’s attention.
Hrithik earlier lived in a rented room in Juhu Gali near Gilbert Hill in Andheri West. According to police sources, he had also allegedly got an Aadhar card made at the address of Noorani Chawl in the same area. About four months ago, he started living in a rented room in Sahar area near Mumbai International Airport.
Hrithik was in contact with someone in Delhi for a long time
Hrithik’s Delhi connection has also come to light in the police investigation. According to a senior official, Hrithik’s call records revealed that he was in touch with someone in Delhi for a long time. The police are now examining his call records to find out whether the person in contact in Delhi was connected to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang or not.
A senior police officer said that Hrithik is also a bodybuilder. He told his friends that he earns a salary of Rs 70 thousand every month. However, the police are yet to find out in which company or office he worked. He also worked as a bike rider in his spare time. Police are also investigating whether the gang had sent him to Mumbai to keep an eye on possible Bollywood targets.
Who was Rehan talking to? Police is examining call records
Mumbai Crime Branch, which is investigating the firing on Tiger Shroff, is now investigating the phone conversation of 18-year-old Rehan Rahisuddin. Police want to find out with whom Rehan was continuously talking before the firing and immediately after the incident.
According to a senior police officer, before switching off the phone, Rehan was seen continuously talking to someone while running away. He is also seen talking on the phone in the footage before the firing.
How did Rehaan call?
According to sources, Rehan was talking to someone through internet call instead of normal mobile call. Police suspect that Zangi or Signal app might have been used for conversation. According to the police, gang members use such apps to escape from law enforcement agencies.
Police also believe that Anil Pandit had shared the screenshot of the attack within minutes of the firing. Due to this, the investigators suspect that the three accused were in constant touch with Anil Pandit or someone associated with him and were getting instructions.
Was Tiger Shroff the first target of the gang?
The police is also investigating an important question in this case. She wants to find out whether Tiger Shroff was the gang’s target or whether the actor was targeted after being unable to reach any other influential person. According to sources related to the investigation, the alleged main target of the gang was Salman Khan, who had security arrangements. Police are investigating whether it was difficult to reach the person due to security reasons and that is why Tiger Shroff was targeted.
A senior officer said that the gang wanted to create an atmosphere of fear in Bollywood. For this reason, it is also being investigated whether Hrithik was asked to live in Andheri West, where many people associated with Bollywood live.
According to the official, nowadays many actors share activities related to their lives on social media. Police are also not ruling out the possibility that the accused may have come to know through social media that Tiger Shroff comes to the field every weekend. However, the real reason behind targeting the actor and whether any other person was the original target of the gang will be known only after the investigation is completed.
Where is Rehan from?
According to the police, Rehan is a resident of Sonipat, Haryana and a case has already been registered against him. Investigators say that he allegedly contacted the Lawrence Bishnoi gang through a friend. According to the police, Rehan and Phool Singh already knew each other. Whereas, Hrithik Mahato alias Roshan was living in a slum area of Andheri for the last one year. The police are now investigating the mutual relations of the three accused, their role in the gang and their involvement in planning the firing.
The accused can be presented in the court on Wednesday
According to the police officer, the three accused were being brought to Mumbai by road and they were likely to reach the city by late night. The possibility of presenting the accused in the court on Wednesday was expressed. Earlier on Monday, a local court of Kota had given transit remand of the accused to Mumbai Police.
Police say that after getting the custody of the accused, they will be interrogated in detail. This can help in gathering information about the planning of the firing, role of other gang members, Delhi connection and the motive behind the attack.