An accused in the firing incident targeting actor Tiger Shroff allegedly shaved his head to conceal his identity around two months after the attack was plotted, according to details emerging from the investigation. The accused, identified as Ritik, alias Roshan, reportedly had long hair before shaving his head completely to avoid being recognised by people in his locality. By the time the firing took place, his hair had grown back slightly.
Ritik, along with two other accused, was arrested by Kota Police on Monday morning from the general coach of the Pune-Jaipur Superfast Express at Kota railway station. The other two were identified as Rehan, from Sonipat in Haryana, and a juvenile.
Kota Police subsequently handed the three over to Mumbai Police, which formally arrested them and produced them before a magistrate. The court granted transit remand to enable the police to take them to Mumbai for further investigation.
A Mumbai Police team left Kota for Mumbai by road on Tuesday with the three accused. The team stayed overnight in Kota to avoid travelling at night, as its personnel were tired after the journey from Mumbai and considered night travel unsafe.
ACCUSED ALLEGEDLY PLANNED TO FLEE TO NEPAL
According to the police, the accused fled to Surat after the incident and boarded a Jaipur-bound train. They allegedly planned to travel to Delhi by bus before escaping to Nepal.
Police have also found that Rehan was in contact with Anil Pandit, an alleged associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The gang claimed responsibility for the attack in an unverified social media post.
FIVE TO SIX ROUNDS FIRED AT ACTOR'S CAR
The firing took place on Sunday evening in Mumbai's Juhu area, where at least two men allegedly opened fire at Shroff's car before fleeing on a motorcycle.
According to Mumbai Police, five to six rounds were fired at the vehicle. The actor escaped relatively unhurt, while his driver and a bystander sustained injuries.
A motorcycle allegedly used by the shooters was later found abandoned in Andheri.
CASE REGISTERED UNDER ATTEMPT TO MURDER, ARMS ACT
Mumbai Police have registered a case under provisions relating to attempt to murder and the Arms Act. Investigators are examining the accused's movements, alleged links and the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Meanwhile, Kota Police maintained heightened security while the accused were in custody. Railway Colony Police Station SHO Ramswaroop said CCTV cameras at the premises were directly connected to police headquarters and security arrangements remained in place throughout the night.
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