Investigation Widens in Juhu Shooting Incident

MUMBAI: The Mumbai Crime Branch has made a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the October 18 firing incident targeting actor Tiger Shroff, arresting the 11th suspect in connection with the case.

According to senior law enforcement officials, the latest accused, identified as Pranjal Thakral, was apprehended from Indore in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Investigators revealed that Thakral allegedly supplied the second firearm utilized by the shooters during the attack in Juhu and maintains direct links with the primary mastermind of the operation, Anil Pandit.

Following his arrest, police secured a three-day transit remand to transport Thakral to Mumbai for intensive interrogation. Authorities subsequently conducted a recovery operation taking the suspect to Surat, Gujarat, where a pistol, a country-made firearm, and accompanying ammunition had been concealed. Investigators noted that the attackers had initially fled toward Surat before ultimately being cornered and arrested in Kota, Rajasthan.

Crackdown Under MCOCA

The latest arrest arrives on the heels of announcements by the Mumbai Police indicating that all suspects detained in the high-profile case will face charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Crime Branch sources confirm that evidence gathering and legal documentation required to formally invoke the robust legislation are currently underway.

The incident unfolded on the evening of October 18 when at least two assailants opened fire on the 36-year-old actor's vehicle in the upscale Mumbai suburb of Juhu before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. The vehicle was struck by five to six rounds. While Shroff escaped unhurt, his driver and a bystander sustained injuries during the ambush. The motorcycle utilized by the suspects was later abandoned in Andheri and subsequently recovered by police.

Gang Links and Target Shift

The case, originally registered at the Juhu Police Station, was swiftly transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch's Anti-Extortion Cell due to the gravity of the threat and potential organized crime syndicates involved.

Anil Pandit, an operative linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, has publicly claimed responsibility for the orchestration of the attack. Three primary suspected shooters were previously intercepted and arrested by law enforcement in Kota, Rajasthan, while attempting a transit escape toward Nepal via Delhi. Additionally, two women were taken into custody earlier in the investigation on allegations of procuring and supplying weapons to the active cell.

Police intelligence sources disclosed that the criminal syndicate had initially targeted a different high-profile personality but altered their operational plans due to stringent security measures surrounding that individual. The perpetrators subsequently pivoted toward Tiger Shroff after monitoring social media activity and fan-posted video reels, noting that the actor lacked formal police protection.

Warning Against Misinformation

In the wake of the incident, representatives for Tiger Shroff issued a formal advisory cautioning the public and media outlets against the proliferation of unverified stories, unauthorized statements, and artificial intelligence-generated video content falsely attributed to the actor. Authorities and representatives alike continue to urge media organizations to rely strictly on verified law enforcement briefings.