Anil Pandit, the alleged mastermind behind the firing at Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai, allegedly paid Rs 2.5 lakh in advance for the planned killing, offered accused Rehan Rs 34,000 to carry
out the attack and promised to send the accused abroad, Rajasthan Police sources told News18 India on Tuesday.
Pandit was reportedly connected live from California during the attack and allegedly directed the accused through an app. He is also suspected of having provided the weapons used in the shooting, while investigators are examining the alleged financial transactions and communication between him and the men accused of carrying out the attack.
According to the latest inputs from Rajasthan Police sources, Pandit had allegedly promised Rehan an opportunity to go abroad after the killing. He also reportedly transferred between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 online every day to cover the accused’s expenses.
The revelations point to a suspected chain of planning, financing and reconnaissance behind the October 18 firing in Mumbai’s Juhu area, where motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire at Shroff’s car. The actor escaped serious injury, but his driver and a passer-by were injured.
Rs 2.5 Lakh Advance, Rs 34,000 Contract And California Connection
According to Rajasthan Police sources, Pandit allegedly paid Rs 2.5 lakh in advance in connection with the planned murder. Rehan was reportedly assigned the contract to kill Shroff for Rs 34,000, with the promise of being sent abroad after the operation.
Pandit allegedly remained connected with the accused through an app during the attack, directing their actions from California.
The accused had reportedly been staying at a hotel in Mumbai for around a month before the shooting. During this period, they allegedly made online payments to shopkeepers and collected cash in return, a method that police sources say is being examined as part of the investigation into how their expenses were funded.
Hrithik, another accused, was allegedly tasked with conducting reconnaissance of Shroff’s location. Investigators are looking into how the target’s movements were tracked and whether the accused had been monitoring his routine before the attack.
Haircuts, Changed Clothes And A Plan To Reach Delhi
After the firing, the accused allegedly attempted to change their appearance to avoid detection while travelling out of Mumbai.
Rajasthan Police sources said Rehan and the minor accused had long hair at the time of the incident but cut it and changed their clothes during the train journey. The three accused reportedly sat separately in different parts of the train to avoid attracting suspicion.
Pandit had allegedly instructed them to reach Delhi quickly before being sent to Nepal, according to the sources. Investigators are probing the intended route and whether the accused had further assistance lined up after reaching the national capital.
The train journey ultimately brought them to Kota in Rajasthan, where personnel deployed at the station in plain clothes identified the suspects.
How RPF Personnel Caught The Accused In Kota
According to the account shared by Rajasthan Police sources, one of the accused, a minor, was buying ‘pakoras’ from a vendor through the train window when the train stopped at Kota station.
Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel in plain clothes, who had been deployed at the station, reportedly recognised him from a photograph. They boarded the train and sat near the accused before approaching them.
When questioned about the three passengers who had boarded the train in Mumbai, the minor allegedly panicked and said his two companions were asleep. He then woke the other two men, telling them that the train had reached Kota.
As the two men woke up, the RPF personnel apprehended them, reportedly identifying them as suspects in the previous night’s attack in Mumbai. The three accused were subsequently detained in Kota and handed over to Mumbai Police for further investigation.
What Happened In The Tiger Shroff Firing Case?
The firing took place in Mumbai’s Juhu area on October 18, when assailants opened fire at Shroff’s car. Investigators have been examining CCTV footage, the suspected shooters’ movements and the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Preliminary accounts indicated that seven rounds were fired, with five hitting the car and two missing it. Investigators have also been examining reports that one of the weapons carried by a second shooter jammed.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the attack through a social media post, which also carried threats against people associated with actor Salman Khan. Police are probing the authenticity of the claim and the alleged links between the accused and those suspected of commissioning the attack.
