Investigators probing the firing near actor Tiger Shroff’s football venue in Mumbai are trying to establish whether the three men arrested in connection with the incident were acting on instructions from someone else. The suspects, detained in Rajasthan’s Kota on October 19, are being questioned over the alleged shooting, the source of the weapons and claims that they were offered money and overseas job opportunities.

The incident took place on the evening of October 18 near Pushpa Narsee Park in Juhu. Shroff had reportedly been playing football in the area and was leaving in his BMW when two men on a motorcycle allegedly opened fire. The actor escaped serious injury, but his driver, Firdous Ibrahim Baloch, was shot in the left hand. Another person, identified in media reports as vlogger Umesh Chauhan, was also injured and reportedly required intensive medical care.

Initial accounts differed on the number of rounds fired, putting the figure at five to seven. Police are examining the circumstances of the shooting and the suspects’ alleged roles.

Three arrested while travelling by train

A joint operation by Mumbai and Rajasthan Police led to the arrest of three men at Kota railway station. They were identified as Rehan Rahisuddin and Phool Singh, both 18 and from Sonipat in Haryana, and Hrithik Mahto, 22, from Begusarai in Bihar.

According to preliminary investigative findings reported by the media, Rehan and Phool Singh allegedly carried out the firing, while Mahto is suspected of driving the motorcycle. These allegations are yet to be established through the investigation and judicial proceedings.

The arrests followed efforts to trace the suspects’ movements after the shooting. Investigators reportedly found that the men had left their motorcycle near Andheri West railway station before travelling by local train. They are then believed to have taken a cab to Surat and boarded the Pune-Jaipur Express.

CCTV footage, technical leads and information connected to the cab journey reportedly helped police reconstruct the route. A call linked to the cab driver was also said to have provided a lead. The suspects were intercepted in Kota and arrangements were made to take them to Mumbai for further questioning.

Alleged payment arrangement under scrutiny

Police are investigating claims that the suspects were recruited for the attack in return for money and the promise of jobs abroad. The reported advance payment, however, remains unclear. NDTV cited a collective payment of Rs 50,000, while The Indian Express reported a figure of Rs 37,000.

Investigators are trying to determine who allegedly approached the men, whether they received instructions from a handler and how the firearms were obtained. They are also examining whether additional people were involved in planning or financing the operation.

Reports have further suggested that the suspects may have monitored Shroff’s visits to the football venue before the shooting. India Today reported that they may have considered an attempt on October 11 but did not proceed because the actor reportedly failed to arrive. Police are yet to establish this account conclusively.

Audio clip raises questions over gang link

The investigation has also drawn attention to an audio clip circulating on social media. In the recording, a man identifying himself as Anil Pandit reportedly claims responsibility for the shooting alongside a person named Harman Sandhu and refers to a connection with jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The clip also allegedly contains threats directed at people in the film industry.

Police are examining the claims and whether the recording has any genuine connection to the attack. The alleged association with the Bishnoi gang has not been conclusively verified, and the audio statement alone does not establish the gang’s involvement.

The investigation is now focused on identifying the alleged organisers, verifying the financial trail and establishing the motive behind the shooting. The arrested men’s communications, the source of the weapons and any links to people outside Mumbai are expected to be key areas of questioning.