- Tiger Shroff not original target, police reveal.
- Shooters first aimed for another Bollywood celebrity.
- Three suspects arrested; wider conspiracy and motive probed.
The investigation into the firing incident involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff has taken a new turn, with the Mumbai Crime Branch revealing that the actor was allegedly not the shooters’ original target. According to the investigators, the three accused had initially planned to attack another prominent Bollywood celebrity but changed their target after finding that person’s security arrangements were too tight.
“Tiger Shroff was not the shooters’ original target. The three shooters were targeting a prominent Bollywood celebrity. However, the celebrity’s security was so tight that the shooters were unable to target them,” ANI quoted the Mumbai Crime Branch.
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The investigators added that the accused subsequently decided to target Shroff, allegedly believing they would find it easier to carry out the attack against him.
“Later, the shooters decided to target Tiger Shroff, believing he would be an easier target, and opened fire at him instead,” the Crime Branch added. The identity of the celebrity initially targeted has not been disclosed.
The firing took place around 7 pm on Sunday, October 18, when Shroff was leaving a football ground in Mumbai's Juhu area. The assailants allegedly fired seven rounds at his car, injuring his driver and a fan.
Eknath Shinde Meets Tiger Shroff
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met Shroff at the actor's residence on Monday and condemned the incident.
“Nobody's hooliganism will be tolerated in Mumbai... This is a serious incident. His driver was injured, and the incident is condemnable,” Shinde said.
Three Accused Arrested In Kota, Police Follow 'Plan B'
The three suspects were arrested at Rajasthan's Kota railway station on Monday while travelling on the Pune-Jaipur Express. They had allegedly fled Mumbai, abandoned their motorcycle and travelled through different modes of transport, including a cab to Surat, before boarding the train.
A local court granted Maharashtra Police a 48-hour transit remand to take the accused to Mumbai for further investigation.
However, police reportedly changed their original plan to transport the suspects immediately and kept them overnight at the Railway Colony police station in Kota. The alternative strategy was referred to as 'Plan B'.
Ramswaroop Meena, the station house officer (SHO) of the Railway Colony police station, confirmed that the accused had been granted a 48-hour transit remand and were being taken to Mumbai by the Maharashtra Police.
Investigators are also probing whether the accused received money to carry out the attack. Reports citing investigators said they allegedly received an advance payment of Rs 50,000 and were promised additional money and jobs abroad. They reportedly informed their handlers that the operation had been completed.
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Police Probe Possible Wider Conspiracy
Police have registered a case under Sections 109(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act.
While the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has reportedly claimed responsibility through a social media post and the purported audio clip, investigators are examining the claims rather than treating them as independently established.