Twist in Tiger Shroff shooting: Actor not original target; two women among four more arrested

MUMBAI: Four more people, including two women, have been arrested in connection with the shooting incident involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff. The two men allegedly arranged firearms for the attackers, while the women allegedly helped supply the weapons to the three assailants. The arrested persons include Kunal (21), Sumit (19), Radha (23), and Babita (23). The first three accused arrested in the case were Hrithik Kumar alias Roshan (22), a native of Bihar, and Rehan (18) and Phool Singh (18), both from Haryana.

The investigation has revealed that Tiger Shroff was not the shooters’ original target. According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, the accused had initially planned to target another prominent Bollywood celebrity but abandoned the plan because of the individual’s tight security. They allegedly turned their attention to Shroff, whom they believed would be an easier target.

According to investigators, the accused allegedly monitored locations frequented by Shroff before carrying out the attack. CCTV footage and call-data records reportedly showed that they had visited the football ground in Mumbai’s Juhu area on October 11, a week before the shooting. They allegedly returned on October 18 and opened fire as the actor left the premises.

An associate of Anil Pandit, whom the police suspect of involvement in planning the attack, had also been arrested. Sameer, who allegedly facilitated contact between the three shooters and Pandit, was arrested by the Haryana Police. Pandit is described in reports as a California-based operative linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

According to police sources, Pandit allegedly recruited the three shooters and promised them payment and assistance in settling abroad. Rehan was reportedly offered Rs 35,000 to carry out the attack. Investigators have also reported that money was transferred to the accused in advance to cover their expenses.