MUMBAI: Actor Tiger Shroff and his family were shaken after five rounds were fired at his car in Mumbai’s Juhu area on Sunday evening, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde said after meeting the actor at his Bandra residence late Sunday night. Three people, including a 17-year-old from Haryana and a 22-year-old bike taxi rider from Mumbai, have been arrested in connection with the firing.The three accused — 17-year-old minor, Hrithik Kumar alias Roshan, 22, and Rehan, 18 — were apprehended by the Anti-Gangster Task Force and Rajasthan Police at Kota railway station while travelling on a train from Mumbai towards Delhi.Shinde visited the 36-year-old actor to enquire about his health and reassure his family. He said Tiger and his mother, Ayesha Shroff, were under considerable mental stress following the attack.The actor sustained injuries to his left hand from gunpowder and glass shards but escaped gunshot injuries. His driver and another person were injured in the firing.Shinde said there had been no dispute or altercation involving Tiger that could explain the attack. He assured the actor and his family that the state government would provide all necessary assistance and security.
‘Bullets for bullets’: Shinde warns gangs
Speaking after the meeting, Shinde issued a stern warning to criminal gangs threatening celebrities and other public figures.“It will be tit for tat, bullets for bullets,” he said, asserting that the government would not tolerate gang wars or attempts to intimidate people in Mumbai and Maharashtra.Recalling the crackdown on gang violence in the 1990s, Shinde said authorities would act firmly to dismantle criminal networks and prevent a resurgence of such activities.He also said Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti had been instructed to review security arrangements for actors and other members of the film industry.
How were the accused arrested?
The trio were apprehended at Kota railway station while travelling on a train from Mumbai towards Delhi. The arrests followed a manhunt launched by Mumbai Police after motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire at Shroff’s car around 7pm on Sunday as he was leaving a football club in Juhu.Investigators have been examining CCTV footage and tracking the suspects’ movements and alleged escape route. According to sources, the attackers had allegedly tracked Shroff’s movements and knew about his regular Sunday visits to the football ground. Investigators suspect they conducted a recce of the area before the shooting.
Bishnoi gang claim under verification
A social media post purportedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the firing. The messages alleged that Shroff had ignored warnings and threatened others in the film industry who work closely with actor Salman Khan. Police are verifying the authenticity of the claims.Following the incident, security was tightened outside Salman Khan’s Galaxy Apartments in Bandra, with police personnel wearing bulletproof jackets deployed outside his residence.Shinde said Mumbai Police had formed a special team to trace those involved in the firing and assured the Shroff family that strict action would be taken against the accused.The investigation into the firing and the alleged roles of the three arrested men is underway.
