A casual phone call from a cab driver unraveled the flight path of the three men accused of shooting at Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff. The Mumbai Crime Branch traced the suspects from Juhu to Surat, and finally to Kota in Rajasthan, where police detained them on Monday morning. This rapid takedown marks a significant twist in the probe, which had initially faced scrutiny over how the attackers managed to escape Mumbai so quickly.
The breakthrough hinged on technical surveillance of a number used to book a ride to Surat. When the driver answered the call, he revealed he had dropped the suspects at Surat railway station around 8 pm. Police immediately cross-referenced this with travel data, identifying the trio on the Pune-Jaipur Express heading toward Rajasthan. A joint operation with Rajasthan Police led to their arrest at Kota station, ending a frantic 24-hour manhunt.
The shooting occurred around 7 pm on October 18, 2026, as Shroff left Jamnabai Narsee Ground in Juhu. Three motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire near Pushpa Park, injuring the actor's driver. Shroff rushed to Nanavati Hospital, while the suspects fled toward Andheri West. CCTV footage later showed them hurrying to board a train in Surat, suggesting their escape route was pre-planned.
Police are now investigating whether local associates provided shelter or funds to the accused. The Crime Branch has requested remand to question the suspects on their specific roles and digital links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Authorities are also probing the source of the weapons used in the attack, aiming to dismantle the network that facilitated the crime.