Tiger Shroff firing: Attackers recced Salman, Amitabh, Aamir and Akshay’s homes before attack
New Delhi: The investigation into the firing incident involving Bollywood actor has revealed fresh details about the alleged planning behind the attack. According to police sources, the accused had initially considered targeting and had allegedly conducted a recce outside his residence. However, they reportedly dropped the plan after noticing heavy police deployment in the area.
The accused had arrived in Mumbai around a month before the October 18 firing and allegedly surveyed the residences of several Bollywood celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan, according to IANS.
Attackers conducted reconnaissance at Salman, Amitabh, Aamir, and Akshay’s homes
According to IANS, the accused had allegedly been instructed to look for celebrities with comparatively limited security. The investigation has revealed how they allegedly gathered information about the homes and movements of Bollywood stars. According to IANS, the accused travelled around Mumbai in auto-rickshaws and asked drivers to take them to celebrity residences, claiming that they wanted to click photographs of the stars’ homes.
Different auto-rickshaw drivers allegedly took them to the residences of Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan.
How Tiger Shroff allegedly became the target
During one such journey, an auto-rickshaw driver allegedly told the accused that played football at a ground in Juhu every Sunday. Acting on the information, the accused allegedly visited the ground on October 11. However, Tiger did not arrive that day.
They allegedly returned to the same ground the following Sunday (October 18), this time carrying weapons. At around 7 pm, shots were allegedly fired at Tiger Shroff’s car. Police are investigating whether the information about Tiger’s routine eventually led the accused to choose him as their target after their alleged plans involving other celebrities did not materialise.
According to sources, some other individuals from Haryana had also travelled to Mumbai around the same period and allegedly conducted reconnaissance before returning to the state.
Two weapons allegedly used in Tiger Shroff firing
The investigation has also turned its focus to the firearms used in the incident. According to IANS, two pistols were allegedly used in the firing. One was reportedly foreign-made, while the other was domestically manufactured. The accused allegedly discarded both weapons at an unidentified location while fleeing Mumbai after the attack. Mumbai Police are now trying to locate and recover the firearms.
Four more accused arrested in connection with case
Meanwhile, four accused, including Kunal, 21, Sumit, 19, Radha, 23, and Babita, 23, were arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell and produced before a court under Section 35(1)(b) of the BNSS.
Officials of the Maharashtra Police subsequently sought permission for their custodial interrogation and formal arrest. The court allowed the request and later granted Mumbai Police three days’ transit remand. According to investigators, Kunal had recently come out of jail on bail when he was allegedly introduced to Anil Pandit by a friend from Harsana village. The two reportedly communicated through an encrypted application.
Police allege that, on Pandit’s instructions, Kunal collected a pistol and 20 rounds of ammunition from Amritsar, with Sumit accompanying him. Investigators further allege that Kunal later persuaded Radha, with whom he had developed a relationship, to travel to Mumbai carrying a weapon.
What happened before October 18 firing?
According to the sequence of events shared by investigators, Kunal took Radha and Babita to New Delhi Railway Station on October 15. The pistol was allegedly kept in Radha’s bag. Police claim Kunal remained in contact through an encrypted app during their journey and passed on instructions allegedly received from Anil Pandit.
Radha and Babita reached Dadar on October 17 and checked into a hotel. At around 11 am, a minor boy allegedly collected the bag from Radha near the hotel. A day later, at around 7 pm on October 18, the firing involving Tiger Shroff’s car took place.
Investigators allege that after the incident, Anil Pandit informed Kunal that the shooters were stuck in Mumbai and asked him to help arrange their escape. Radha and Babita left Mumbai for Delhi aboard the Dadar-Haridwar Express the same day. They were apprehended at New Delhi Railway Station on October 20, while Kunal and Sumit were caught in Sonipat.
Delhi Police also detained three women in connection with the alleged assassination attempt and handed them over to Mumbai Police. The women are suspected of being involved in supplying arms to the shooter, though investigators are yet to disclose complete details about their alleged roles.