Tiger Shroff Firing Probe: Accused Switched Travel Mid-Escape

Mumbai, October 24: The Mumbai Police investigation into the firing case involving Tiger Shroff has revealed that the shooters stayed in regular contact with their handler during the operation and even while officers were trying to catch them.

According to investigators, the shooters received frequent updates through calls and messages. When details about their faces and identity came to light, the handler is said to have advised them to leave the area immediately. Police also believe that the handler was keeping an eye on television news reports during this time.

Police officials say the shooters were told how closely investigators were tracking their identity and location. The situation reportedly escalated when videos and vlogger footage showing the accused were aired on TV channels. Following this, a message was sent to accused Rehan Ansari, asking him to leave the spot.

Police suspect that someone was monitoring TV news and passing information to the shooters, but the person has yet to be identified. Investigators are looking into whether Anil Pandit, who is in the United States, or Ankit Khatak and Sameer Khatri, recently arrested from Sonipat, could have been involved in instructing Rehan through a communication app. No conclusions have been drawn so far.

Authorities have also recovered some videos, photographs and chat-related information from the accused. The probe found that after receiving updates on police movements, the accused were changing the modes of travel they were using to avoid detection.

The three accused fled on a bike after firing at Tiger Shroff's car on October 18. They subsequently travelled to various locations by train and cab. Police said the accused used internet-based calling rather than mobile networks, which made their conversations harder to track.

Investigators got their first real breakthrough from an ordinary call that one of the accused made to a cab driver. Acting on information from the Mumbai Police, the three accused were arrested from a train in Kota, Rajasthan. Police have so far arrested 10 people in connection with the case. Phool Singh, 18, Rehan Rahisuddin Ansari, 18, and Ritik Mahto, 22, arrested for the firing, are in police custody until October 31.

A senior officer said that when police spoke to Tiger Shroff after the incident, he said he was deeply shocked and never expected his car to be attacked in this way. He also told police that he had no enmity with anyone and did not know who the attackers were, why they fired, or who had sent them.

Crime Branch officials said Tiger Shroff was very disturbed after the firing, which is why his statement has not yet been recorded. It is expected to be recorded soon.