Mumbai Police have arrested three suspects in the firing incident targeting actor Tiger Shroff. Investigators traced their escape route from Mumbai through Surat to Kota, Rajasthan, Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajtilak Roushan said during a press briefing on Monday.
The accused allegedly abandoned a motorcycle near Andheri West, travelled by local train to Borivali, took an app-based cab to Surat and then boarded the Pune-Jaipur Express. Police eventually tracked them to Kota. They were reportedly planning to travel by bus from Jaipur to Delhi before heading to Nepal.
The three men allegedly planned their escape using several modes of transport to evade capture. However, CCTV footage, technical analysis and field investigations helped the Mumbai Crime Branch reconstruct their movements and alert Rajasthan Police, leading to their arrest at Kota railway station.
CCTV footage from Andheri West railway station reportedly showed the accused at 7.06 pm. The man wearing a USPA T-shirt was identified as Ritik, the person in the centre as Phool Singh, and the man looking to the left as Rehan.
DCP Rajtilak Roushan said around 20 special teams had been formed to investigate the shooting, which took place in Mumbai’s Juhu area at approximately 7 pm on Sunday.
According to police, three men arrived on a motorcycle, and two of them opened fire at the actor’s vehicle before fleeing. Investigators said the suspects later abandoned the motorcycle near Andheri West railway station.
FROM ANDHERI TO KOTA: THE ACCUSED’S ESCAPE ROUTE
After allegedly leaving the motorcycle near Andheri West, the suspects travelled by local train to Borivali. They then took an app-based cab to Surat in Gujarat. According to information shared during the investigation, one of the accused, Ritik, booked the cab.
From Surat, the three men boarded the Pune-Jaipur Express to travel towards Rajasthan. The Crime Branch traced their movements, identified the compartment in which they were travelling and passed the information to Kota Police.
Acting on the tip-off, Kota Police apprehended all three suspects at the railway station. They were subsequently taken into Mumbai Police custody, and legal procedures to transfer them to Mumbai were underway.
Roushan credited coordination among police forces across several states for helping investigators locate the accused. Delhi, Gujarat and Rajasthan Police assisted Mumbai Police during the operation.
BIKE BOUGHT BY ACCUSED RITIK IN SEPTEMBER
Investigators traced the motorcycle allegedly used in the shooting to Ritik, who was described as a rapid rider. Details shared during the investigation indicated that he purchased the bike on September 11.
The motorcycle had reportedly changed hands four times since 2022, but the transfers had not been recorded through registered sales. Investigators are examining its ownership history as part of the probe.
Tracing the motorcycle’s ownership could help police determine how it was obtained and whether anyone else helped arrange the vehicle used in the attack.
WHO ARE THE ACCUSED?
Mumbai Police said the three suspects are from Haryana and Bihar. None is a minor: one is 18 years old, while the other two are 22.
Two of the accused reportedly come from the same place and knew each other.
The alleged shooters have been identified as Phool Singh and Rehan. According to details released about the case, Phool Singh was one of the men whose weapon malfunctioned during the shooting. Police clarified that he is not a minor.
Rehan was reportedly seen wearing a cap in footage connected to the incident. Investigators are examining the individual roles of the suspects and the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Police are also checking their educational backgrounds and investigating how they learned about Tiger Shroff’s location.
TWO WEAPONS USED, MULTIPLE ROUNDS FIRED
The Crime Branch said two weapons were used in the attack and several rounds were fired at the actor’s vehicle. Police have invoked attempt-to-murder charges and provisions of the Arms Act against the accused.
Roushan said further action would be taken as the investigation progressed. More arrests could follow if evidence establishes the involvement of additional suspects.
Police are also examining social media posts claiming responsibility for the shooting. Roushan said these claims were being verified and that investigators had not yet established the broader conspiracy behind the attack.
NO PRIOR THREATS ON RECORD
Mumbai Police said they had no record of Tiger Shroff receiving threat calls connected to the incident before the shooting.
Investigators are examining how the suspects learned of the actor’s location and whether anyone assisted them in planning or carrying out the attack.
Police said security arrangements for public figures are made according to established standard operating procedures, taking into account threat assessments and available information.
The accused remain in police custody. Investigators are expected to question them further to establish the motive and determine whether the shooting was part of a wider criminal operation.
