Mumbai: Mumbai Police have detained Pranjal Thakran, a 22-year-old engineering student, as the 11th accused in the firing incident involving actor Tiger Shroff in Juhu. Thakran was picked up from Indore in Madhya Pradesh during a joint operation by the Mumbai Crime Branch and local police.
Investigators believe Thakran played an operational role in the conspiracy. He allegedly remained in touch with the shooter and helped arrange logistics and money for those involved in the attack. Police also suspect that he supplied one of the pistols used in the incident.
The alleged mastermind, Anil Pandit, is believed to be abroad and operating as part of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Police said Pandit entrusted Thakran with carrying out the plan. The two reportedly used a secret messaging app to communicate and avoid surveillance, as reported by NDTV.
Officials said messages recovered from Thakran’s phone, along with details of financial transfers, could help them map Pandit’s suspected overseas network and identify others linked to the conspiracy.
Bail Release Before Attack
Thakran was released on bail in March after being jailed for an attack on a businessman in Panipat. Police allege that attack too was carried out on Pandit’s instructions.
Soon after walking free, Thakran allegedly rejoined Pandit and began planning the Juhu attack. Investigators consider Thakran a key lead in their bid to trace Pandit, who remains untraced.
Thakran was produced before the holiday bench of the Killa Court on Sunday and sent to police custody till October 31.
Juhu Shooting
The firing took place on the evening of October 18, when Shroff was leaving Pushpa Narsee Park after playing football. At least two men allegedly opened fire at his car before escaping on a motorcycle.
The motorcycle was later abandoned in Andheri. The shooters reportedly travelled to Surat and boarded the Pune-Jaipur Express. Three alleged shooters were subsequently arrested in Kota, Rajasthan, while trying to reach Delhi and escape to Nepal.
Pandit later claimed responsibility for the attack. Police sources said the gang had originally planned to target another prominent personality but abandoned the plan owing to tight security arrangements.