Initial findings in the shooting at Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai point to a possible weapon malfunction. Investigators reportedly recovered two live cartridges among the seven rounds fired during the attack.
The cartridges were of 7.62 mm calibre, and five empty shells were also recovered. Police suspect that a malfunction in one of the shooters’ weapons may have caused a live cartridge to be ejected. Investigators are also checking whether one of the firearms used was a Turkish-made Zigana pistol.
Video footage shows one shooter firing several rounds at Shroff’s BMW, while the second, positioned near the passenger-side window where the actor was sitting, appears to have difficulty firing his weapon.
The second man is seen shifting the gun between his hands and repeatedly trying to operate it, but the footage does not appear to show his weapon being fired. His movements have raised the possibility of a malfunction, although investigators have yet to confirm this.
The findings emerged as police continued investigating Sunday evening’s shooting at Shroff’s BMW in Mumbai’s Juhu area. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the attack.
THREE ACCUSED HELD IN RAJASTHAN
Two men have been arrested and a juvenile detained in Rajasthan’s Kota in connection with the shooting. The suspects have been identified as a 17-year-old boy and Rehan, both from Haryana, and Hrithik Kumar from Bihar.
Acting on information provided by Mumbai Police, a joint team comprising the Rajasthan Anti-Gangster Task Force and Kota City Police apprehended the three in the Railway Colony area. They had reportedly arrived in Kota aboard the Pune-Jaipur Superfast Express at around 10.15 am.
Two additional people have also been detained in connection with the incident, including one person from the Maharashtra-Gujarat border region.
Mumbai Police had earlier registered an attempt-to-murder case against the three accused. The FIR, initially filed at Juhu Police Station, has since been transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch.
The case invokes Section 109(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with attempted murder, and Section 3(5), concerning acts committed by multiple people in furtherance of a common intention. Relevant provisions of the Arms Act have also been applied.
HOW THE SHOOTING UNFOLDED
The 36-year-old actor was leaving after playing a football match in Mumbai’s Juhu area on Sunday evening when the accused allegedly opened fire on his BMW sedan.
Shroff escaped without injuries, but his driver, Firdaus, and an autorickshaw driver identified as Chauhan were hurt.
The actor was seated on the passenger side when the shooting began and moved towards the driver’s seat after the gunfire.
CCTV footage shows one of the attackers firing several rounds, while the second appears to struggle with his weapon. Whether the second firearm discharged remains unclear, and investigators are examining this detail as part of their inquiry into the suspected malfunction.
A third accused can be seen waiting on a motorcycle, apparently prepared to help the others escape.
Police have seized the motorcycle allegedly used in the attack. The suspects reportedly left it at Andheri railway station before fleeing.
Preliminary findings indicate that the motorcycle is registered in Mumbai. Investigators are checking its registration records, number plate, chassis number and engine number to establish its background.
BISHNOI GANG CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has taken responsibility for the shooting and issued fresh threats against people associated with Bollywood actor Salman Khan.
The gang’s hostility towards Salman Khan is linked to allegations that the actor hunted and killed two blackbucks in Rajasthan in the late 1990s. The animal is considered sacred by the Bishnoi community.
Salman Khan was initially convicted under the Wildlife Protection Act but was subsequently acquitted by the Rajasthan High Court.
A few hours before the arrests, a photograph allegedly showing two of the suspected shooters emerged. The image, reportedly captured near the location of the incident, showed both men wearing white shirts. One of them was wearing a black cap with the Puma logo. Their identities had not been established at the time.
MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT VOWS STRICT ACTION
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier condemned the attackers as “cowardly individuals”, stating, “They attempt to strike from the shadows, but their efforts will be thwarted.”
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited Shroff at his residence soon after the shooting. He disclosed that the actor had sustained gunpowder burns on his right hand.
Shinde called the incident serious and promised firm action against those involved. He also warned that no gang or individual would be permitted to revive gang wars in Mumbai.
As the investigation continues, police are analysing the recovered ammunition, suspected firearms and CCTV footage to reconstruct the incident and determine the role played by each accused. The possibility of a weapon malfunction remains an early line of inquiry.
