Three people, including a minor, have been detained in connection with the firing incident involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai’s Juhu area. The suspects were apprehended by Kota City Police from the Pune-Jaipur Superfast Express on Monday while allegedly attempting to flee to Nepal, police said.
Kota Superintendent of Police Tejaswani Gautam said the operation lasted around 15 minutes after Mumbai Police shared intelligence inputs. The suspects were found in the train’s general coach with assistance from the district special team, Anti-Gangster Task Force and Railway Protection Force.
The accused have been identified as Ritik alias Roshan, from Begusarai in Bihar, Rehan, from Sonipat in Haryana, and a juvenile. Preliminary questioning revealed that Rehan was in contact with Anil Pandit, an alleged associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which claimed responsibility for the attack in an unverified social media post.
Police said the suspects planned to travel from Jaipur to Delhi before crossing into Nepal. No weapon was recovered from them. A Mumbai Police team reached Kota to take custody of the suspects for further investigation.
Firing at actor’s car in Juhu
According to Mumbai Police, the firing took place around 7 pm on Sunday when Shroff was leaving a football club in Juhu. The assailants allegedly fired three rounds at his car. The actor escaped direct gunshot injuries, while his driver sustained injuries.
Crime Branch sources said the accused had allegedly conducted reconnaissance of Shroff’s movements, knowing he regularly visited the football ground on Sundays. After the incident, they reportedly travelled through Vile Parle and Andheri, abandoned their motorcycle near Andheri West railway station and boarded a train.
A case has been registered under Sections 109(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act. The investigation has been transferred to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch.
Minor’s father expresses distress
Meanwhile, the father of the juvenile accused told ANI that his son had left home nearly two months ago and that he was unaware of his activities or associates.
The father, a daily-wage labourer with a 50 per cent disability, said his son previously worked as a tile layer. He learnt about the incident only after receiving a call from the police.
“He went to a fair on the 13th and 14th, and after that, I do not know why he left or where he went,” he said, adding that the family was facing financial difficulties.
He also recalled an earlier motorcycle theft case in which his son was arrested, saying he had reprimanded him over the matter.
Security tightened in Mumbai
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited Shroff’s residence on Sunday night and assured the family of government support. Security outside Salman Khan’s Galaxy Apartments in Bandra was also tightened following the incident.
Further investigation is underway. (Agencies)