Tiger Shroff firing incident: Mumbai police take three arrested in Kota; Reference to Bishnoi gang under investigation

Three suspects arrested in connection with the shooting of Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai South were remanded in 48-hour transit custody to the Mumbai Police by a court in Rajasthan’s Kota on Monday (October 19, 2026).

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The investigation has been transferred to the anti-extortion cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch, which is probing possible links with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and the role of manipulators operating outside Maharashtra.

The suspects were nabbed aboard the Pune-Jaipur Superfast Express at Kota railway station in a joint operation by the Rajasthan Police and the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), acting on a tip-off from the Mumbai Police. Investigators reportedly tracked their movement towards Surat using CCTV footage and technical surveillance before alerting their Rajasthan counterparts.

According to the Kota police, the suspects were allegedly planning to flee to Nepal via Delhi.

The accused have been identified as Phool Singh, 18, and Rehan alias Sukka, 18, both residents of Sonipat in Haryana, and Hrithik Kumar alias Roshan, 22, originally from Begusarai in Bihar and currently residing in Andheri West, Mumbai.

Although one suspect initially gave a date of birth suggesting he was almost 18, Mumbai Police DCP (Detection) Raj Tilak Roshan clarified that none of the three accused were minors.

The suspects were produced before a magistrate at his residence in Kota amid tight security. After the Mumbai Police secured their 48-hour transit detention, they underwent a medical examination at MBS Hospital before being handed over to a Mumbai Police team to travel to Mumbai.

“They (accused) have been handed over to Mumbai police. Mumbai police have received remand. After being transferred, Mumbai police have given them medical examination and now they are being taken away,” Kota Additional Superintendent of Police Subhash Chandra Mishra told reporters.

According to DCP Roshan, two of the accused allegedly fired five to six rounds at Mr Shroff’s vehicle, while the third is suspected of rigging the motorcycle used in the attack. At the time of the police briefing, no firearm was found on the suspects.

The shot took place at around 7 pm on Sunday (October 18, 2026) when Mr Shroff was returning from personal work in the South. The actor reportedly sustained injuries on his chest and right hand, while his driver Firdous Ibrahim Baloch sustained a gunshot wound on his left wrist and fractured right ring finger. A pedestrian was also injured.

The South Police had initially registered a case under Section 109(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant provisions of the Arms Act.

The crime branch formed around 20 special teams to track down the attackers. Investigators recovered the Pulsar motorcycle allegedly used in the shooting near Andheri West railway station and brought it to the DN Nagar police station.

The police questioned the previous owner of the motorcycle and traced it to a resident of Jogeshwari who sold it to a second person who in turn sold it to a third. The suspects allegedly bought the bike from a third owner before Pitru Paksha. Though the payment was made, the title documents were yet to be transferred, with the paperwork scheduled after Navratri.

The police are investigating the alleged handlers, linked to the Bishnoi gang

Investigators are probing the alleged role of Anil Pandit, described in news reports as a US-based gangster, in orchestrating the attack.

According to the Kota police, Mr. Pandit allegedly contacted Mr. Rehan to carry out the shooting, after which Mr. Rehan recruited another participant from Sonipat. Police are examining the communications and financial transactions of the suspects to identify those who planned and financed the attack.

There has also been an alleged audio message and a social media post claiming responsibility on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. However, police have yet to verify their authenticity or confirm gang involvement.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the Mumbai Police had got crucial leads and would hunt down those responsible, including masterminds operating from other states or abroad. “Mumbai police has taken this matter very seriously. They have got leads and based on them police are actively working,” said CM Fadnavis.

“As for their masterminds – who were hiding elsewhere when the instructions were sent – we will also be following them,” he added.

CM Fadnavis said that the state would coordinate with other agencies and if required help from the central government to trace those operating from abroad. “These people are cowards and the Mumbai police know exactly how to bring them to justice. The public as well as the Bollywood fraternity have full confidence in Mumbai,” he said.

The crime branch is now working to establish the motive for the attack, trace the weapons and identify other people involved in planning or facilitating the shooting.

Published – 20 Oct 2026 11:52 IST