Three men suspected of opening fire at Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff’s vehicle in Mumbai have been arrested in Rajasthan’s Kota, giving investigators a major breakthrough in the case. The arrests came a day after gunmen fired at the actor’s BMW in the Juhu area on Sunday evening, October 18.
Tiger Shroff escaped serious injury in the incident, but his driver and another person were reportedly injured. The Mumbai Crime Branch has taken over the investigation, while police are examining the motive behind the attack and possible links to organised crime.
According to reports published on Monday, the three suspects were apprehended at Kota railway station while travelling on a train from Mumbai towards Delhi. Police are investigating whether they planned to escape further, reportedly towards Nepal through Delhi.
The shooting occurred in Mumbai’s Juhu area when Shroff was returning after playing football. Motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly opened fire at his BMW near Pushpa Narsee Park.
Reports said five rounds were fired. The attackers fled the scene on a motorcycle, leaving the actor’s vehicle damaged. Shroff escaped direct gunshot injuries, although reports indicated that he sustained minor injuries or gunpowder burns.
His driver, identified in reports as Firdaus, and a passerby, identified as Umesh Chavan, were injured. The incident raised concern among residents and those working in the film industry, as gunfire in a busy residential area could have endangered several people.
Police began examining CCTV footage from the area and tracing the suspects’ movements. Investigators also looked into the motorcycle allegedly used in the attack and the route taken by the assailants after leaving the scene.
The arrests followed a coordinated operation involving Mumbai Police, Rajasthan Police and the Anti-Gangster Task Force. Investigators used information gathered during the Mumbai probe, including CCTV footage, to track the suspects.
The three accused have been identified in reports as Phool Singh, Rehan and Hrithik Kumar, also known as Roshan. Reports said one of them is a minor, while the others are adults. The accused reportedly come from Haryana and Bihar, with one living in Mumbai.
The suspects were apprehended at Kota railway station while travelling on the Pune-Jaipur Express, according to The Indian Express. Police are expected to bring them to Mumbai for further questioning and investigation.
Authorities are seeking to establish the role played by each accused, including who allegedly fired the shots, who arranged transport and whether others helped plan the attack. Reports have also indicated that one suspect may have acted on instructions from a person identified as Anil Pandit. This alleged connection remains part of the investigation.
The Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the firing and trying to establish the motive. An FIR was registered against unidentified persons before the arrests were reported, and the case has since moved forward with the detention of the three suspects.
The investigation has also focused on a social media post in which individuals claiming to represent the Lawrence Bishnoi gang allegedly took responsibility for the attack. Police are checking the authenticity of the claim and whether it has any genuine connection to the suspects.
The alleged gang link has drawn attention because of previous threats and extortion-related concerns involving members of the Hindi film industry. However, a social media claim alone does not establish responsibility. Investigators must verify the evidence and determine whether the attack was ordered by anyone else.
Police are also examining whether the suspects had been tracking Shroff’s movements or knew about his regular football visits. Establishing how the attackers obtained information about the actor’s routine could help investigators understand whether the shooting was planned in advance.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured support to Shroff and his family after the incident. The state government has promised strict action against those found responsible.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also said the suspects would be handed over to Mumbai Police for further investigation and that those involved would not be spared.
The arrests mark an important development, but several questions remain unanswered. Investigators must establish the motive, verify the alleged gang connection and determine whether other people were involved in planning or supporting the attack.
The arrest of the three suspects is a significant step in the investigation, but it does not bring the case to a close. Police still need to establish the exact roles of the accused, examine evidence recovered during the operation and determine whether the shooting was linked to a wider criminal network.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of public figures and the risks posed by armed attacks in residential areas. The injuries suffered by two people also underline that such incidents can put bystanders in danger, even when the intended target escapes serious harm.
