New Delhi: Mumbai Police are investigating alleged links between Lawrence Bishnoi gang operative Anil Pandit and the men accused of firing at actor Tiger Shroff’s car. The investigation has gained fresh leads after police recovered two pistols and 10 live cartridges in Surat and arrested 22-year-old Pranjal Thakran, the 11th accused in the case.
The crime branch sought Thakran’s custody until October 31 to investigate his alleged role in supplying weapons and his links with Pandit. Thakran was arrested in Indore on Saturday.
Police sources cited by the Hindustan Times alleged that Thakran supplied a countrymade pistol to the shooters and arranged logistical and financial support. NDTV reported that investigators are also examining chats recovered from his phone and financial transactions to trace his alleged links with Pandit, who is suspected of operating from the United States.
Police recovered a Turkish-made Zigana pistol, a country-made pistol and 10 live cartridges from bushes near railway tracks in Surat on Sunday. As RNA Media reported earlier, one of the arrested suspects helped investigators locate the weapons.
The firearms and ammunition have been sent for forensic examination and ballistic testing. Investigators will compare them with cartridge cases recovered from the Juhu crime scene to establish whether the weapons were used in the attack.
Police had been tracking the alleged shooters and investigating how they obtained the firearms. The recovery has provided investigators with material evidence to examine alongside the suspects’ statements and movements.
Earlier Panipat case under scrutiny
Investigators are also examining Thakran’s alleged links with Kunal, another accused in the case. According to reports, their names had surfaced in connection with a firing incident in Panipat, Haryana.
Thakran had previously been jailed in connection with an attack on a businessman in Panipat and was released on bail in March, reports said. Police are investigating whether his alleged association with Pandit continued after his release.
Thakran’s family has denied his involvement in the attack on Shroff. His uncle, Suresh Kumar said that Thakran was pursuing an engineering degree and had travelled to Indore to care for his brother, who was undergoing medical treatment, the Hindustan Times reported.
How the Attack Unfolded
Two gunmen allegedly opened fire at Shroff’s car near Pushpa Narsee Ground in Mumbai’s Juhu area on October 18, as the actor was leaving after playing football, Shroff escaped gunshot injuries.
After escaping the spot of incident, attackers abandoned their motorcycle in Andheri before travelling to Surat. Three alleged shooters were arrested at Kota railway station in Rajasthan on October 19.
Police are investigating Pandit’s suspected role in planning the attack and coordinating with the accused. Investigators are also examining reports that another high-profile personality may initially have been considered a target before the alleged conspirators changed their plans.
The crime branch is now seeking to establish who supplied the weapons, how the attackers received support and whether others helped organize the shooting. The investigation into the alleged conspiracy and the roles of those involved is continuing.