Highlights:
The firing at actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai’s Juhu neighborhood has led to three arrests in Rajasthan, with investigators examining an alleged link to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and trying to establish who ordered the attack.
The three accused were arrested in Kota after Mumbai Police shared information and CCTV footage with their Rajasthan counterparts. A senior Kota police officer said the suspects were detained within 15 minutes of receiving information from Mumbai Police. Authorities have alleged that an aide of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi ordered the shooting, although the investigation into the incident and the alleged chain of command is continuing.
The attack took place Sunday evening (18), after Shroff had been playing football in Mumbai. He escaped without gunshot injuries, but reportedly suffered minor gunpowder burns to his hand. His driver and an autorickshaw driver were also reported injured. Five rounds were reportedly fired at the actor’s car.
How police tracked the suspects
CCTV footage from Andheri West railway station became an important lead in identifying the alleged shooters. According to the updates released Monday, the suspects were seen outside the station at approximately 7:06 p.m. Mumbai Police shared the footage with Kota Police as investigators traced the men’s movements after the shooting.
The accused allegedly abandoned the motorcycle used in the attack outside Andheri station before fleeing. Police seized the vehicle and began examining its registration details, number plate, chassis number and engine number to establish its history and ownership.
The investigation subsequently led police to Kota, where three suspects were arrested. Earlier reports said the men had been detained in the city, including one suspect who was reportedly picked up from the Railway Colony area. One of the accused is said to be from Bihar.
The arrests mark a significant development in the case, but identifying the suspects is only one part of the investigation. Police must also establish each accused person’s role, determine how the attack was planned and gather evidence about anyone who may have directed or financed it.
Why the Lawrence Bishnoi gang is under scrutiny
The investigation has drawn attention to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang after a purported social media post claiming responsibility for the shooting circulated online. The post’s authenticity has not been verified, and the claim should not be treated as established fact.
Kota Police subsequently said an aide of Bishnoi had allegedly ordered the attack. A separate audio clip, attributed to a man identifying himself as a Bishnoi gang aide, reportedly contained threats against people associated with Bollywood actor Salman Khan. The speaker warned that those associating with Khan could be targeted.
The audio and social media claims have raised questions about whether the shooting was connected to a wider pattern of threats against film industry figures. However, investigators will need to establish the authenticity of the material and its connection, if any, to the Juhu firing.
The case has also renewed concerns about the security of Bollywood personalities. The All Indian Cine Workers Association and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees condemned the incident and called for stronger protection for actors and other industry professionals.
What political leaders have said
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said police had identified suspects and warned that those responsible would be brought to justice. He also said authorities would pursue the alleged masterminds even if they were operating outside Maharashtra or abroad.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the Shroff family after the attack. Shinde said Tiger’s mother, Ayesha Shroff, was under considerable mental stress following the incident. Ayesha later responded to questions about her son’s condition by saying, “God is great.”
Shinde also indicated that the actor had no known previous disputes or enmity that would readily explain the attack. That statement does not establish a motive, which remains a key question for investigators.
What happens next?
Mumbai Police have transferred the case to the Crime Branch for further investigation. The unit is scheduled to brief the media at 5:30 p.m. as per Indian Standard Time Monday (19), at the Mumbai Police Commissioner’s Office compound near Crawford Market.
The briefing is expected to provide further details about the arrests and the investigation’s progress. Key questions remain: who allegedly ordered the shooting, what motive lay behind it, whether the purported gang claims are genuine, and whether additional people were involved in planning or carrying out the attack.
For now, the arrests in Kota represent a breakthrough in tracing the alleged shooters from Mumbai to Rajasthan. The next stage will be to establish the evidence linking the accused to the firing and determine whether the attack was part of a larger criminal plan.
Tiger Shroff survived the incident, but the shooting has intensified calls from film industry organizations for effective investigations and stronger security measures. The case now hinges on what investigators can establish about the suspects, the alleged gang connection and the people who may have orchestrated the attack.
