Tiger Shroff Was Not Original Target of Mumbai Shooting, Police Say
Mumbai — Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff was not the original target of a shooting that left his driver and a bystander injured, according to police sources who said the suspects initially planned to kill another prominent Bollywood celebrity.
Preliminary questioning of three arrested suspects revealed that they had traveled to Mumbai intending to attack a different celebrity but changed their plans after encountering difficulties reaching their intended target, police sources said.
Investigators believe the suspects identified Shroff as a more accessible target after studying Instagram videos posted by his fans. The videos reportedly suggested that the 36-year-old actor, the son of veteran Bollywood star Jackie Shroff, did not routinely travel with police protection.
The suspects allegedly monitored Shroff’s movements through his Instagram account and social media posts shared by fans to plan the attack.
During questioning, the suspects reportedly told investigators that their objective was to kill the actor and create fear throughout the Bollywood film industry.
The shooting occurred Sunday evening when attackers fired five to six rounds at Shroff’s vehicle on a busy Mumbai street. The actor escaped without serious injuries, but his driver and a bystander were injured. Video footage of the incident subsequently circulated online.
Police later recovered an abandoned motorcycle in the Andheri neighborhood that investigators believe was used by the gunmen.
Following the shooting, the suspects allegedly fled to Surat, Gujarat, before boarding a train bound for Jaipur. Investigators believe they intended to continue to New Delhi by bus and eventually escape to Nepal.
Mumbai Police arrested three suspects in Kota, Rajasthan, before they could complete their alleged escape plan.
Two suspects have been identified as Ritik, also known as Roshan, of Begusarai, Bihar, and Rehan of Sonipat, Haryana.
Investigators are also examining possible connections between the suspects and organized crime networks, including the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Police said Rehan had been in contact with Anil Pandit, an alleged associate of the Bishnoi gang. An unverified social media post attributed to the gang claimed responsibility for the shooting.
A purported audio recording featuring Pandit, described as a 32-year-old U.S.-based gangster from Panipat, has also circulated online. In the recording, a voice allegedly belonging to Pandit claims Shroff was attacked because he ignored warnings against working with Bollywood actor Salman Khan.
The authenticity of the recording has not been independently established.
Police have filed attempted murder and firearms-related charges in connection with the shooting.
Investigators are continuing to question the suspects to determine the identity of the original intended target, establish the motive and identify others who may have participated in planning the attack. (Source: IANS)
