The Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested four people, including two women, in connection with the firing at Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai, and the accused have been formally arrested by the Maharashtra Police CID, Mumbai, officials said.
The four accused — Kunal (21), Sumit (19), Radha (23) and Babita (23) — were apprehended on Tuesday by the Northern Range of the Special Cell. Kunal and Sumit were arrested in Haryana’s Sonipat, while Radha and Babita were apprehended at New Delhi Railway Station, according to a police press release.
The accused were initially produced before a court through a kalandra under Section 35(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Subsequently, officials of the Maharashtra Police CID, Mumbai, moved an application seeking permission for custodial interrogation and formal arrest, which was allowed by the court.
The court also granted the Mumbai Police team three days’ transit remand of the four accused to take them to Mumbai for further investigation.
Weapon allegedly transported from Amritsar
According to the police, Kunal, who had recently been released on bail, was introduced to Anil Pandit by a friend from Harsana village. He subsequently began communicating with Pandit through an encrypted messaging application.
On Pandit’s directions, Kunal allegedly collected a pistol and 20 rounds of ammunition from Amritsar. Sumit accompanied him during the collection, the police said.
Around two months ago, Kunal allegedly met Radha, disclosed his activities to her and developed a relationship with her. He subsequently persuaded her to travel to Mumbai with the weapon, according to the police account.
On October 15, Kunal took Radha and Babita to New Delhi Railway Station. The pistol was allegedly carried in Radha’s bag.
During the journey, Kunal remained in contact with the women through an encrypted application and relayed instructions from Pandit, the police said.
Bag allegedly handed over to a minor
On October 17, Radha and Babita arrived at Mumbai’s Dadar station and checked into a hotel. At around 11 am, a minor boy allegedly collected the bag from Radha near the hotel.
The following evening, at around 7 pm on October 18, gunfire was reported at the car of actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai’s Juhu area. The actor, son of veteran Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff, escaped the attack, while his driver and another person were reported injured.
According to the Delhi Police, Anil Pandit subsequently told Kunal that the shooters were stranded in Mumbai and asked him to arrange their escape.
On October 18, Radha and Babita left Mumbai for Delhi aboard the Dadar–Haridwar Express.
Acting on the leads developed during the investigation, the Special Cell apprehended the two women at New Delhi Railway Station on October 20, while Kunal and Sumit were arrested in Sonipat, Haryana.
Background: Firing at Tiger Shroff’s car
The incident took place in Mumbai’s Juhu area on October 18, when armed assailants allegedly opened fire at Tiger Shroff’s vehicle. The attack triggered a major investigation by Mumbai Police and the Crime Branch, with investigators examining the identities of the shooters, the source of the weapon and the possible involvement of a wider criminal network.
The firing also drew attention after claims of a possible connection with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang surfaced. The alleged gang link and the motive behind the attack remain matters for investigators to establish.
The arrest of the four accused in Delhi and Sonipat is expected to help investigators piece together the alleged supply of the weapon, the movement of the women between Delhi and Mumbai, and the communications between the suspected conspirators and the shooters.
The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations against the accused are yet to be established in court.
The End
