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Investigators trace alleged weapons supply network in Shroff firing (Img: IANS)
Mumbai: Investigators probing the firing at actor Tiger Shroff’s car have uncovered details of an alleged weapons supply network, with the firearms reportedly collected from a pre-arranged location in Amritsar through a method known as a “dead letter box”, sources said.
The two accused, identified as Kunal and Sumit, allegedly travelled to Amritsar around a fortnight before the incident to collect the weapons. Sources said Anil Pandit had provided the pickup location in advance and remained in contact with Kunal through an encrypted messaging application.
A “dead letter box” is a pre-arranged location where an item is left for another person to retrieve, without the two parties necessarily meeting. According to sources, the accused did not know who had left the weapons at the Amritsar location.
Anil Pandit allegedly paid the two men between Rs 70,000 and Rs 80,000 for the task, sources said. Of this amount, around Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 was allegedly paid to two women, identified as Babita and Radha, who were tasked with transporting the firearms to Mumbai.
Kunal was released from Sonipat jail in July this year. After his release, a friend allegedly introduced him to Anil Pandit, following which the two began communicating through an encrypted application.
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Investigators suspect that Kunal subsequently arranged for the weapons to be transported to Mumbai and enlisted his girlfriend, Radha, to help move them. Radha and Babita reportedly work at a factory in Sonipat.
Sources said Kunal had met Radha around two months ago and that she travelled to Mumbai with Babita at his request.
The latest details have emerged as the Mumbai Crime Branch investigates the firing involving Shroff’s car in Juhu on Sunday evening. The actor escaped unhurt, while his driver sustained injuries.
On Wednesday, three key accused arrested in connection with the case were brought to Mumbai from Kota in Rajasthan. After undergoing a medical examination, they were taken to the Anti-Extortion Cell office for questioning.
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Their lawyer, Ajinkya Mirgal Madhukar, said the accused had been taken for a medical examination before being brought to the Anti-Extortion Cell. He added that the inquiry was underway and that they were expected to be produced before a court the following morning.
The Mumbai Crime Branch has also claimed that the shooters initially planned to target another prominent Bollywood celebrity but changed their plans after they were unable to reach the individual because of tight security. Police have not disclosed the celebrity’s identity.
According to the Crime Branch, the accused subsequently decided to target Shroff, allegedly believing he would be an easier target.
Meanwhile, Shroff’s management team has warned against the circulation of fabricated statements, AI-generated videos and other unauthorised content falsely attributed to the actor in connection with the incident.
The team said Shroff had not issued any statement or video regarding the case and urged media organisations and social media users to rely on verified information.
The Mumbai Crime Branch’s investigation into the firing and the alleged weapons supply network is continuing.
