The Tiger Shroff firing case took a dramatic turn on Monday as Mumbai Police arrested three suspected shooters in Rajasthan’s Kota, less than 24 hours after gunmen opened fire at the Bollywood actor’s vehicle in Mumbai’s Juhu area. The suspects were intercepted at Kota railway station while allegedly attempting to flee by train.
The attack happened on Sunday evening, October 18, as Shroff was leaving a football ground near Pushpa Narsee Park after a practice session. Three motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly approached the actor’s car and fired multiple rounds at the windshield and side windows before speeding away. Shroff escaped without gunshot injuries, though his driver and an autorickshaw driver were injured in the shooting and received medical attention.
Shooters Tracked Him for Days
According to investigators, the accused had tracked Shroff’s movements and daily schedule for nearly ten days before the attack. Reports say they conducted a recce of his residence and gym, monitored his routine using paparazzi videos and bloggers’ social media posts, and stayed in contact with handlers through encrypted messaging apps. The exact location of the crime scene was allegedly sent to them shortly before the shooting.
One report described a chilling moment during the attack: a shooter standing next to the passenger side attempted to fire at Shroff at close range, but his weapon jammed. Seven rounds were reportedly fired, with five bullets striking the car.
Train Escape Foiled at Kota
Police traced the attackers’ escape route along SV Road through Vile Parle and Andheri, where they abandoned their motorcycle near Andheri railway station. From there, the suspects boarded trains toward Borivali and then onward toward Jaipur, reportedly intending to travel by bus to Delhi and eventually to Nepal.
The plan collapsed at Kota railway station, where a joint operation by Mumbai Police, Rajasthan Police, and the Anti-Gangster Task Force intercepted the trio. The three suspects were identified as residents of Haryana and Bihar, including one minor. They were placed on 48-hour transit remand and handed over to Mumbai Police for further questioning. Media reports have linked the accused to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, though investigators have not confirmed a motive.
Industry on Edge
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited Shroff at his home on Sunday night, where photos showed the actor with bandages on his upper body. Shinde said attempts to intimidate people would not be tolerated and vowed the state would put an end to what he called hooliganism. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also directed police to conduct a thorough investigation.
The shooting has rattled Bollywood, coming after earlier threats against film personalities, including shots reportedly fired outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Juhu residence in February. The investigation continues as Mumbai Police work to establish the motive and identify anyone else involved in planning the attack.
