The investigation into the firing at Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff’s vehicle in Mumbai has widened, with police arresting another suspect in Haryana and examining the alleged links between the attackers and members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Investigators are trying to establish who planned the attack, how the shooters were recruited and whether others helped coordinate the operation.
The latest arrest is that of Sameer, who was picked up from Sonipat in Haryana. Police suspect he acted as a link between the three men accused of opening fire at Shroff’s car and Anil Pandit, a California-based alleged operative associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. With this arrest, the number of people in custody in the case has reportedly reached six.
The firing took place on October 18 in Mumbai’s Juhu area, when Shroff was returning by car after playing football. Two men allegedly fired at his vehicle while a third waited nearby on a motorcycle. The actor escaped the attack, while his driver and caretaker, Firdos Ibrahim Baloch, was injured. Police have been investigating the incident as a suspected planned attack rather than an isolated act of violence.
Three alleged shooters — Phool Singh, Rehan and Hrithik Kumar — were arrested at Kota railway station in Rajasthan on October 19. Police said they had been travelling on a train as they attempted to escape after the shooting. Investigators believe the men intended to travel towards Nepal, using different routes to avoid being caught.
The arrests followed a coordinated effort by Mumbai Police and Rajasthan’s Anti-Gangster Task Force. Investigators reportedly tracked the suspects’ movements using CCTV footage, call records and information gathered during the escape. A motorcycle allegedly used in the attack was also recovered as part of the investigation.
Police are examining evidence that the shooting was planned in advance. According to reports, the three suspects had visited the football ground on October 11, a week before the attack. They allegedly returned on October 18 and waited for Shroff to leave the venue. Investigators suspect that the earlier visit may have been an unsuccessful attempt to target him, though the circumstances remain under investigation.
The alleged financial arrangements are another focus of the probe. Reports suggest that the three accused were collectively paid an advance of ₹50,000 and were promised additional money after the attack. Investigators are also examining claims that one of the accused was offered money and the prospect of settling abroad. The precise roles of the alleged recruiters and handlers have not yet been established in court.
Sameer’s arrest is significant because police suspect he helped connect the alleged shooters with Pandit. Authorities are now investigating whether he played a role in recruitment, communication or the movement of money. Police are also looking into whether other people helped the accused prepare for the attack or escape from Mumbai.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the firing, according to reports. The group has previously been linked by investigators to threats and attacks involving prominent figures in the entertainment industry. However, the alleged gang connection and the individual roles of those named in the case remain matters for police investigation.
Pandit has emerged as a person of interest because of the alleged links to the shooters. Reports have described him as a suspected gang operative based in the United States. Police are working to establish the chain of communication between those who allegedly carried out the firing and those suspected of arranging it. Investigators are also examining whether the attack was connected to Shroff’s professional associations or other motives.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of Bollywood personalities, particularly after a series of threats and attacks involving celebrities in recent years. Police have been reviewing security arrangements while questioning those arrested and collecting further evidence.
Shroff’s driver, Baloch, has been a long-serving member of the actor’s household, reportedly working with the family for nearly three decades. His injury has brought attention to the risks faced by people who accompany celebrities and are often present during security incidents.
Investigators have recovered empty bullet shells and live cartridges, which could help establish the weapon used and support forensic analysis. Police are also examining digital evidence and travel records to reconstruct the sequence of events before and after the shooting.
The next stage of the investigation will focus on establishing the alleged chain of command, verifying claims about payments and identifying anyone else who may have assisted the suspects. The arrests have given police several leads, but the motive and the full extent of the alleged network remain unclear.
