The 37th Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Mumbai has remanded three key suspects in the recent firing incident involving actor Tiger Shroff to police custody until October 31. The decision follows a request by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, which argued that further custodial interrogation is essential to unravel the broader conspiracy and recover critical evidence linked to the attack. The suspects—Rehan Ansari, Phool Singh, and Rithik Mahtoo, also known as Roshan—were produced before the court after being brought from Kota in Rajasthan.

The incident occurred on the evening of October 18, when assailants on a motorcycle fired five to six rounds at a vehicle belonging to the actor in the Juhu area of Mumbai. While the actor escaped unhurt, his driver and a bystander sustained injuries, prompting the initiation of a high-priority investigation. Following the shooting, the Mumbai Police registered a formal First Information Report (FIR) charging the perpetrators with attempt to murder and various offences under the Arms Act.

Escalating Investigation into Organized Crime

The investigative focus has now broadened significantly, with authorities suspecting the involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. According to information shared by law enforcement, the suspects were allegedly acting under the direction of individuals linked to this criminal network. The Mumbai Police informed the court that the three primary suspects had been in contact with Anil Pandit, an individual believed to be an associate of the gang currently operating from abroad.

The investigation has not been limited to the three men initially brought before the court. In a coordinated multi-state effort, the Delhi Police Special Cell recently apprehended five additional individuals in Delhi and Haryana. These individuals, which include two women, are suspected of playing integral roles in the logistics of the operation, including the supply of firearms and ammunition. Investigators allege that these suspects were tasked with procuring weapons in Amritsar and transporting them to Mumbai, highlighting the sophisticated nature of the alleged conspiracy. Police are currently working to finalize the motive behind the attack, noting that the suspects may have initially targeted another high-profile celebrity before shifting their focus to the actor due to stricter security measures at the original site.

Procedural Disputes over Custodial Duration

During the remand hearing, the prosecution sought 14 days of police custody, arguing that such a duration was necessary to perform a comprehensive investigation. Specifically, the police highlighted that the weapons used in the commission of the crime remain unrecovered and that the suspects allegedly destroyed their mobile phones to obfuscate their digital footprint. Establishing a link between the suspects and the criminal syndicate requires the recovery of electronic evidence and the verification of financial transactions, which the police claimed could only be reliably conducted through custodial interrogation.

The defence team vehemently opposed the plea for extended custody. Counsel representing the accused argued that the suspects had already been subjected to interrogation during a 48-hour transit remand granted by a magistrate in Kota. They contended that any further detention for the purpose of evidence recovery—such as obtaining Call Detail Records or tracing weapons—was unnecessary, as these actions could be facilitated through standard investigative procedures that do not require the physical presence of the accused. The defense lawyers underscored that their clients had fully cooperated with the authorities during the transit period and that the request for an additional 14 days was an excessive measure that failed to account for the time already served in police custody.

Expanding Net in High-Profile Shooting Probe

The court’s decision to grant custody until October 31 reflects the gravity of the charges and the complex nature of the ongoing investigation. The police have emphasized that they need to explore the potential for wider criminal links beyond the immediate vicinity of the incident. This involves verifying claims regarding the actors involved and ensuring that no other potential threats remain active. Following their arrival in Mumbai via road from Kota, the suspects were processed at the GT Hospital for mandatory medical evaluations before being moved to the Anti-Extortion Cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch for intensive questioning.

The state prosecutor emphasized the habitual nature of the offenders and the risks associated with the organized crime element inherent in the case. By permitting the extended remand, the court has effectively allowed the investigators to continue their search for the missing weapons and the electronic devices purported to contain details of the wider conspiracy. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on synchronizing the findings from the multiple arrests made across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Haryana.

With the suspects currently in the custody of the Anti-Extortion Cell, the investigative agencies are now tasked with cross-verifying the statements provided by the detainees. The police are expected to present further evidence before the court upon the expiration of the remand period on October 31, at which point the court will determine whether additional custodial time is warranted or if the suspects will be shifted to magisterial custody pending further legal developments. For now, the case continues to serve as a focal point for law enforcement efforts to mitigate the influence of organized crime groups operating within the entertainment industry. The procedural path forward remains contingent on the success of the ongoing recovery operations for weapons and digital evidence.