Bishnoi Gang Link Under Scanner After Firing At Tiger Shroff’s Car
MUMBAI-Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff escaped a firing attack in Mumbai’s Juhu area, with police arresting three suspects, including a minor, in Rajasthan’s Kota in connection with the incident. The actor’s driver and another person were injured in the shooting.
The suspects were apprehended at Kota railway station after Rajasthan Police received intelligence that they were travelling aboard the Pune-Jaipur Express.
The suspects have been identified as Rehan alias Sukka, a resident of Sonipat in Haryana; Hrithik Kurmi alias Roshan, a resident of Begusarai in Bihar; and a minor. Hrithik had been living in Mumbai for the past few years, police said.
Preliminary questioning indicated that the suspects planned to travel to Delhi before fleeing to Nepal. Rehan was also found to be in contact with Anil Pandit, who is reportedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Police are investigating whether this connection had any role in the attack.
The incident took place around 7 p.m. on October 18, when three motorcycle-borne men opened fire at Shroff’s car after he left a playground in Juhu, where he had gone for football practice. Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohit Garg said three rounds were fired at the actor’s vehicle.
Shroff’s driver was taken to Nanavati Hospital for treatment. Another person at the scene was also hit by a bullet, police said. A Mumbai Police official said the actor leaned forward when the shots were fired, helping him avoid a direct hit, although he sustained an injury from a fragment of shattered glass.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the Police Commissioner to investigate the incident immediately and take strict action against those responsible. Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar also spoke to Shroff’s family to inquire about his well-being. His father, actor Jackie Shroff, later confirmed that his son was safe.
Hours after the shooting, a social media post by a man identifying himself as Anil Pandit claimed responsibility for the attack on behalf of the group. The post alleged that Shroff had been warned but had failed to heed the warning, and threatened people in the Mumbai film industry who worked with actor Salman Khan.
In an audio recording shared by the Mumbai Crime Branch, a man identified as Pandit also demanded that Salman apologize to Lawrence Bishnoi and the Bishnoi community, threatening harm to the actor and his family if he did not comply.
Police have not officially confirmed the Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s involvement in the firing. Investigators are examining the alleged links and the motive behind the attack.
The threats follow earlier incidents involving Salman Khan and suspected members of the Bishnoi gang. In April 2024, two men on a motorcycle fired shots outside the actor’s Galaxy Apartments residence in Mumbai’s Bandra area. The gang has also been associated with threats against Khan over the 1998 blackbuck poaching case in Rajasthan. The Bishnoi community venerates the blackbuck. (IANS)
