20 October,2026 07:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash Singh
Superintendent of Police Tejaswini Gautam addresses a press conference after suspects (wearing masks) were arrested in Kota, on Monday. PIC/PTI
Mumbai Crime Branch traced three suspects in the firing at actor Tiger Shroff's vehicle in Juhu to Rajasthan's Kota, where they were apprehended aboard a train on Monday, within 15 hours of the incident. Investigators tracked their movements using CCTV footage and technical inputs, following their trail through Surat before alerting Rajasthan Police. One of the suspects is a Rapido rider, according to Mumbai Police. Police have not recovered the firearms used in the shooting and are investigating what happened to the weapons after the incident.
[popcorn number="7:15 pm" desc="Approximate time the firing took place" class="Default"]
>> Rehan alias Sukka, from Sonipat, Haryana
>> Hrithik Kumar alias Roshan, a Bihar native who lived in Andheri West and worked as a Rapido rider
>> Another minor from Haryana
According to preliminary information shared by Kota Police, Anil Pandit - an alleged operative linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang - allegedly contacted Rehan in connection with the incident, while Rehan allegedly recruited the minor from Sonipat.
Mumbai Crime Branch formed special teams to investigate the firing. Investigators analysed CCTV footage and technical evidence to trace the suspects' movements. The investigation indicated that the suspects travelled towards Surat before boarding a train to Rajasthan.
Mumbai Police shared inputs with Rajasthan Police, enabling Kota City Police to intercept them on the Pune-Jaipur Express. "Within just 15 minutes, our team set a trap and thoroughly searched the entire train. Through this swift action, we apprehended all three suspects," Kota Superintendent of Police Tejaswani Gautam said, adding that the suspects were planning to travel to Delhi before escaping to Nepal.
After the shooting incident, Shroff reportedly took the wheel himself and drove his injured driver to Santacruz police station around 7.30 pm on Sunday. The police subsequently took the actor and his driver to Nanavati Hospital for medical attention. Shroff underwent an ECG and other medical examinations. Subsequently, a Santacruz police team escorted him to his residence on Carter Road around 10.30 pm.
According to preliminary information, Shroff had visited a football turf near Pushpa Park in Juhu to play. The firing took place as he was leaving the premises and was near his vehicle. Several fans were present in the area, with some recording videos of the actor. Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the turf and surrounding areas and questioning eyewitnesses to identify the attackers and reconstruct the sequence of events.
The investigation took a new turn when a post claiming responsibility for the attack appeared on X approximately five minutes after the firing. The post named Anil Pandit and Harman Sandhu, and claimed that the attack was carried out because Shroff had failed to heed a warning. It also threatened members of the Mumbai film industry, warning of consequences for those who did not follow the group's instructions or worked with actor Salman Khan.
The Bishnoi gang has also been associated with threats targeting prominent Bollywood figures, particularly Salman Khan. Investigators will need to establish whether the latest attack was intended to intimidate the film industry and whether any evidence connects it to previous incidents.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the Mumbai Police commissioner to enquire about the firing and directed the police leadership to conduct a swift investigation and take strict action against those responsible, according to Chief Minister's Office sources.
The timing of the Juhu firing has also raised questions about a possible pattern of high-profile attacks around Dussehra, although there is no established evidence that the festival was a factor in the latest incident. On October 12, 2024, former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead in Bandra East on Dussehra. Police investigated the involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which claimed responsibility for the killing through a social media post.
The authenticity of the post and the identity of its author have not been independently established. Investigators are examining whether the account and its threats are connected to the firing and whether the suspected attackers acted on instructions from others.
Arrival in Mumbai: Rehan and the minor boy arrived in Mumbai in September
Reconnaissance: They conducted reconnaissance of the route leading to and from the turf ground and visited the area eight to nine times to study Tiger's movements
Firing at car: On Sunday, the accused positioned themselves amidst the crowd as Tiger left the venue and opened fire at his car from close range
Attempt to open door: One of the accused tried to open the car door but failed
Pistol malfunction: The firing was interrupted when the pistol reportedly got jammed
Escape plan: The three accused fled on a motorcycle to Andheri, where they parked the bike and boarded a local train to Borivli before booking a cab to Surat. From there, they boarded a train heading towards Delhi
Arrest in Kota: Acting on information shared by Mumbai Police, Kota Police laid a trap and detained the three accused from the general compartment of the Pune-Jaipur Superfast Express on Monday
