New Delhi: Four people, including two women, have been arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell for allegedly helping smuggle a firearm into Mumbai ahead of the shooting at Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff’s car, with investigators pointing to a US-based gangster suspected of masterminding the operation, PTI reported.
Those arrested have been named as Kunal, 21, and Sumit, 19, both from Sonipat in Haryana, and Radha, 23, and Babita, 23, both from Uttar Pradesh. Police believe the four were working under instructions from Anil Pandit, a 32-year-old gangster from Panipat who is allegedly operating from the United States and is said to be associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
The two women were picked up at New Delhi Railway Station on Tuesday, while Kunal and Sumit were detained in Sonipat. They were first produced before a court under Section 35(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The Maharashtra Police’s Crime Investigation Department later sought custody for detailed questioning and formal arrest, following which the court granted the Mumbai Police team three days’ transit remand, an official told PTI.
Weapon Trail
Police said Kunal, who had recently walked out of jail on bail, came into contact with Pandit through a friend from Harsana village. The two allegedly began communicating on an encrypted messaging platform, after which Kunal and Sumit were directed to collect a pistol and 20 rounds from Amritsar.
Around two months ago, Kunal met Radha and the two entered into a relationship. He later revealed his alleged role to her and convinced her to travel to Mumbai with the weapon, according to the police version.
On October 15, Kunal allegedly left Radha and Babita at New Delhi Railway Station, with the pistol hidden inside Radha’s bag. He stayed connected with the women through the encrypted app throughout their journey, passing on directions said to have come from Pandit, the official said.
Escape Plan
The women reached Mumbai on October 17, got off at Dadar and checked into a hotel. At about 11 am the next day, a minor boy allegedly took the bag from Radha close to the hotel.
Later that evening, around 7 pm, gunfire was reported at Shroff’s car. Pandit then allegedly told Kunal that the shooters were stuck in Mumbai and asked him to make arrangements for their getaway.
Radha and Babita boarded the Dadar-Haridwar Express for Delhi on October 18 and were arrested on arrival at New Delhi Railway Station on Tuesday. Investigators said they are now working to unravel the larger network behind the attack and establish the exact role played by each of the four accused.