Three suspects arrested in connection with the firing at Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai’s Juhu were granted 48-hour transit remand to the Mumbai Police by a court in Rajasthan’s Kota on Monday (October 19, 2026).
The investigation has been transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch’s Anti-Extortion Cell, which is probing a possible Lawrence Bishnoi gang connection and the role of handlers operating from outside Maharashtra.
The suspects were intercepted aboard the Pune-Jaipur Superfast Express at Kota railway station in a joint operation by Rajasthan Police and the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), following inputs from Mumbai Police. Investigators reportedly tracked their movements towards Surat using CCTV footage and technical surveillance before alerting their Rajasthan counterparts.
According to Kota Police, the suspects were allegedly planning to escape to Nepal via Delhi.
The accused have been identified as Phool Singh, 18, and Rehan alias Sukka, 18, both residents of Sonipat in Haryana, and Hrithik Kumar alias Roshan, 22, originally from Begusarai in Bihar and currently residing in Andheri West, Mumbai.
Although one suspect initially provided a date of birth suggesting he was almost 18, Mumbai Police DCP (Detection) Raj Tilak Roshan clarified that none of the three accused were minors.
The suspects were produced before a judge at his residence in Kota under heavy security. After Mumbai Police secured their 48-hour transit remand, they underwent medical examinations at MBS Hospital before being handed over to the Mumbai Police team for their journey to Mumbai.
“They (accused) were handed over to the Mumbai Police. The Mumbai Police obtained their transit remand. After the transit, the Mumbai Police had them medically examined and are now taking them away,” Kota Additional Superintendent of Police Subhash Chandra Mishra told reporters.
According to DCP Roshan, two of the accused allegedly fired five to six rounds at Mr. Shroff’s vehicle, while the third is suspected of arranging the motorcycle used in the attack. No firearm had been recovered from the suspects at the time of the police briefing.
The firing took place around 7 p.m. on Sunday (October 18, 2026) when Mr. Shroff was returning after attending to personal work in Juhu. The actor reportedly sustained injuries to his chest and right hand, while his driver, Firdous Ibrahim Baloch, suffered a gunshot injury to his left wrist and a fracture to his right ring finger. A pedestrian was also injured.
Juhu Police initially registered a case under Sections 109(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant provisions of the Arms Act.
The Crime Branch formed around 20 special teams to track down the attackers. Investigators recovered the Pulsar motorcycle allegedly used in the firing near Andheri West railway station and brought it to DN Nagar Police Station.
Police questioned the motorcycle’s previous owners and traced it to a Jogeshwari resident who sold it to a second person, who subsequently sold it to a third. The suspects allegedly purchased the bike from the third owner before Pitru Paksha. Although payment had been made, ownership documents were yet to be transferred, with the paperwork scheduled after Navratri.
Police probe alleged handlers, Bishnoi gang connection
Investigators are examining the alleged role of Anil Pandit, described in reports as a U.S.-based gangster, in orchestrating the attack.
According to Kota Police inputs, Mr. Pandit allegedly contacted Mr. Rehan to execute the firing, following which Mr. Rehan recruited another participant from Sonipat. Police are examining the suspects’ communications and financial transactions to identify those who planned and financed the attack.
A purported audio message and a social media post claiming responsibility on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang have also surfaced. However, police have yet to establish their authenticity or confirm the gang’s involvement.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Mumbai Police had obtained crucial leads and would pursue those responsible, including masterminds operating from other states or abroad. “The Mumbai Police has taken this matter very seriously. They have obtained leads, and based on these, the police are actively working,” CM Fadnavis said.
“As for their masterminds—who have been hiding elsewhere while sending instructions—we will track them down as well,” he added.
CM Fadnavis said the state would coordinate with other authorities and seek Central Government assistance, if required, to trace those operating from outside the country. “These people are cowards, and the Mumbai Police knows exactly how to set them straight. The public, as well as the Bollywood fraternity, have full faith in the Mumbai Police,” he said.
The Crime Branch is now working to establish the motive behind the attack, trace the weapons and identify others involved in planning or facilitating the firing.
Published – October 20, 2026 11:52 am IST
