Mumbai, Oct 27: The Mumbai Crime Branch is examining whether two women arrested in connection with the firing at actor Tiger Shroff’s car surveyed the Bandra Bandstand area, where several prominent film personalities, including Salman Khan, reside. Investigators are analysing the women’s movements and alleged links to an absconding accused to establish whether their visit was connected to a potential plan targeting film personalities.
The two women, identified as Babita and Radha, visited Bandra Bandstand after arriving in Mumbai, according to a Crime Branch official. Investigators are scrutinising the purpose of the visit and whether the women conducted reconnaissance of residences in the locality. Police have not established a connection between their movements and any alleged plan to target film personalities.
The inquiry draws on information recovered from the women’s mobile phones and other technical evidence. Police officials said the material indicated that the women knew the purpose of their visit to Mumbai. Investigators are examining the evidence alongside their movements to determine the extent of their involvement in the case.
The Crime Branch is also questioning the women about their alleged links with Anil Pandit, who remains absconding. Police said the two were in contact with Pandit, and investigators obtained their remand for further questioning about information that emerged during the probe.
Another line of investigation concerns the possibility that a local contact helped the accused carry out their alleged plan. Police are examining whether members of the group, most of whom are suspected to be originally from Haryana, received assistance from someone in Mumbai. Investigators are searching for the suspected local contact while attempting to establish the individual roles of those arrested.
According to the Crime Branch, eight of the 11 accused arrested in the case were directly in contact with Pandit. Investigators are seeking to establish how the alleged network operated and what role each accused played in the October 18 firing incident.
In a related development, the Mumbai Crime Branch, working with Madhya Pradesh Police, detained a suspect in Indore for allegedly providing logistical and financial support to a network linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in connection with the firing.
Indore Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Dandotia confirmed the detention, which followed a joint operation by the Mumbai and Indore Crime Branch teams. Reports said the detention brought the total number of accused apprehended in the case to 11.
The investigation is continuing to establish whether the women’s movements, their alleged contacts and the suspected local assistance were connected to the firing, while Pandit remains at large.
