An engineer based in Haryana’s Sonipat has been arrested in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore for his alleged role in the conspiracy behind the firing attack on Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai last week, police said.
The accused, identified as Pranjal Thakran, allegedly provided logistical and other essential support to the shooters involved in the October 18 incident, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 10.
The arrest was made by the Mumbai Crime Branch with assistance from the Indore Crime Branch in the Pardesipura area of Indore.
Seven of the 10 individuals arrested so far by the Mumbai Police and the Special Task Force (STF) are reportedly linked to Haryana’s Sonipat district.
According to preliminary information, investigators are examining Thakran’s alleged connections with the shooters and his possible role in arranging resources required to execute the attack.
His involvement in the procurement of weapons and other aspects of the alleged conspiracy is also being investigated.
THAKRAN IN INDORE TO VISIT BROTHER
Thakran, who originally hails from Sonipat, had reportedly arrived in Indore five days before his arrest to visit his brother, who has been undergoing medical treatment in the city for the past five months.
His brother was initially receiving treatment in Sonipat before doctors referred him to Indore for further medical care, including robotic surgery.
During the visit, the Mumbai Crime Branch traced Thakran’s location to Indore and dispatched a team to the city.
With assistance from local police personnel, the team apprehended him from the Pardesipura area.
Investigators are now questioning him to establish his alleged role in the operation and identify his links with other suspects.
Information obtained during his interrogation is expected to help investigators trace additional individuals who may have assisted in planning or executing the attack.
3 FROM SONIPAT ALREADY IN CUSTODY
The latest arrest comes amid an expanding investigation into the firing at Shroff’s car in Mumbai’s Juhu area on October 18.
Earlier, three men from Sonipat — Sameer, Jatin and Ankit Khatak — were arrested for allegedly facilitating the attack. They were produced before an Esplanade court in Mumbai, which remanded them in police custody until October 28.
According to the police, the three allegedly performed different roles in the conspiracy.
Ankit reportedly travelled to Mumbai to conduct reconnaissance ahead of the shooting, Sameer was allegedly in direct contact with Anil Pandit, and Jatin Panchal allegedly arranged the weapon used by the assailants.
Investigators have also examined evidence relating to an alleged firing practice session in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony on October 17, a day before the attack.
CCTV footage from locations connected to the case and other material are being analysed to reconstruct the sequence of events.
ATTACK ON TIGER SHROFF
The October 18 attack involved armed men who allegedly opened fire at Shroff’s car before fleeing on motorcycles.
The actor escaped unhurt, while his driver and another person sustained injuries.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the shooting through social media posts, although investigators are required to establish the authenticity of those claims and the precise roles of the individuals involved.
With 10 arrests made so far, the Mumbai Police and STF are continuing to investigate the alleged conspiracy, trace the weapons supply chain and identify other suspects who may have helped organise the attack.
Thakran’s interrogation is expected to provide further leads as investigators work to establish the full extent of the alleged network behind the shooting.
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