Tiger Shroff firing planned 2 months ago? Shooters offered Rs 35,000, guns hidden near garbage dump
New Delhi: The conspiracy behind the firing targeting in Mumbai was allegedly set in motion at least two months before the October 18 attack, according to a Times Now report. The investigators are probing fresh details about the suspected handlers, payments and weapons used in the shooting.
According to the report by the publication, the accused, Rehan, had allegedly fired shots at a businessman in Amritsar in an earlier incident meant to intimidate him. Investigators suspect that after the Amritsar incident, he subsequently came in contact with , an alleged associate of the who is believed to be operating from California.
Tiger Shroff firing planned two months in advance?
Investigators suspect that Pandit coordinated with the accused remotely and never met them personally. The three accused allegedly communicated with him using the Jangi app. According to the report by Times Now, gangster Anil Pandit offered Rehan Rs 35,000 and promised to pay the remaining amount after the attack. Rehan was also allegedly offered an opportunity to move abroad. He is suspected of making a similar offer to co-accused Hrithik. Police are examining the payment trail and the exact financial arrangement between the accused and their suspected handlers.
According to sources, money for their expenses in Mumbai was allegedly transferred online in amounts ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 a day. Instead of sharing their own payment details, the accused allegedly provided QR codes belonging to shopkeepers and other people, making it harder to directly connect the transactions to them.
How were weapons allegedly delivered to shooters?
Fresh details have also emerged about how the accused allegedly obtained the firearms. According to sources, contacts in Indore and Mumbai were allegedly involved in arranging the weapons. Instead of meeting the accused face-to-face, they were reportedly sent locations and videos directing them to concealed drop points.
In one instance, the firearms were allegedly left inside a box near a garbage dump for collection.
Investigators suspect the accused used the Jangi app for communication and discarded SIM cards after conversations in an attempt to avoid detection. No weapons were reportedly recovered from the accused when they were apprehended, and police are examining whether the firearms were discarded while they were fleeing. Hrithik is also suspected of having arranged a stolen motorcycle allegedly used in connection with the attack.
Accused changed appearance while fleeing
After the firing in Juhu on October 18, the accused allegedly travelled to Andheri railway station and boarded a local train. They reportedly got off after a few stations before taking a cab towards Surat. Sources claimed the cab fare was also arranged by Pandit.
The suspects subsequently boarded a Pune-Jaipur train. During their escape, they allegedly changed their clothes and cut their hair in an attempt to alter their appearance before being apprehended in Kota. Investigators reportedly recovered clothes from their luggage but did not find the weapons allegedly used in the attack.
Accused being brought to Mumbai
Rehan, Hrithik and the third accused are now being brought to Mumbai from Rajasthan’s Kota under police custody.
According to the Kota Railway Colony SHO, the Mumbai Police team left Kota at around 10 am on Tuesday. The train journey is expected to take around 16 hours, with the team likely to reach Mumbai at approximately 2 am on Wednesday. The accused are expected to be produced before a Mumbai court after their arrival.
Mumbai Police had initially left Kota with the three accused on Monday evening after securing a two-day transit remand, but the team reportedly returned over security concerns before beginning the journey again on Tuesday.