Mumbai Police have invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the Tiger Shroff firing case, with investigators examining alleged criminal networks, financial incentives and the use of young men in the attempted attack. Eleven people have been arrested, while alleged gang leader Anil Pandit remains wanted.
The city crime branch has cited the accused persons’ alleged criminal backgrounds, financial motives and a suspected fight for supremacy while applying the organised crime law. Deputy commissioner of police Raj Tilak Roshan said five of the 11 arrested accused would be produced before the special MCOCA court on Wednesday.
According to the police investigation cited in the report, six accused have criminal antecedents. Pandit allegedly has three chargesheets filed against him in serious criminal cases in Haryana and Punjab. Police have also alleged that he is associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which investigators believe is operating from the United States.
Pandit allegedly claimed responsibility for the firing through a social media post and an audio message circulated after the incident. The communications reportedly contained threats against actor Salman Khan and other members of the film industry. Police are examining their authenticity and evidentiary value as part of the investigation.
Crime branch officials suspect that the attack was intended not only to target the actor but also to create fear and strengthen the gang’s influence. Investigators have also found indications that young men with little or no criminal history were allegedly drawn into serious offences through promises of financial rewards and settlement abroad. Most of those arrested are from Sonipat in Haryana.
DCP Roshan said the investigation so far indicated that the shooters and people who provided logistical support had received around Rs 2 lakh. The police said Rs 25,000 was used to purchase a second-hand motorcycle, Rs 37,000 was transferred to the account of Rehan Ansari, and a few thousand rupees were paid in cash for various expenses. The use of the remaining amount is yet to be established, according to the officer.
The case has also triggered scrutiny of app-based transport services after one of the alleged shooters was identified as a Rapido driver. Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said he had instructed transport department officials to conduct rigorous verification of drivers working with Rapido, Ola and Uber and demanded strict legal action, including police cases, against those violating regulations.
Sarnaik also called for app-based aggregator services to be brought under the State Transport Authority through comprehensive policy reforms. He said the state would consider a revised legal framework if existing laws were found inadequate. Another Rapido driver was questioned by the Anti-Terrorism Squad over suspected links with individuals or organisations in Pakistan, according to the report.
The five accused scheduled to appear before the special MCOCA court represent the next formal stage in the investigation, while police continue to assess the alleged gang connections, communications and flow of funds.
