Crime
Who is Anil Pandit? California-based man behind Tiger Shroff firing allegedly linked to Lawrence Bishnoi gang
Mumbai/IBNS: Anil Pandit, the alleged mastermind behind the firing incident targeting Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, is wanted in 12 extortion cases in Haryana, police said, as three attackers were arrested on Monday, Hindustan Times reported.
Suspected links with Lawrence Bishnoi gang
Pandit, who reportedly had no criminal record when he left India in 2023, is suspected of operating from California and helping the Lawrence Bishnoi gang coordinate extortion demands and attacks on celebrities and businessmen, the report said.
A resident of Rai Kalan village in Haryana's Panipat district, Pandit allegedly began coordinating criminal activities from abroad after leaving India.
He is suspected of using threats and shootings to intimidate celebrities, artists and businessmen and extort protection money in the name of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, the report added.
Alleged association with other gang members
Pandit is allegedly associated with other members of the syndicate, including Harman Sandhu, Harry Boxer, Shubham Lonkar and Randeep Malik. He is believed to have been primarily operating from California.
Following the firing incident targeting Tiger Shroff, Pandit and Harman allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack through audio messages.
Tiger Shroff escapes unhurt
The Heropanti actor escaped unhurt after gunmen reportedly opened fire at his car as he was leaving a football gathering at Pushpa Narsee Park in Juhu.
His driver sustained a gunshot injury, while another person was also reportedly injured in the incident.
Tiger was seen with bandages and dressings when Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met at the actor's house.
#WATCH | Mumbai | Visuals from inside the residence of Tiger Shroff as Maharashtra Dy CM Eknath Shinde arrived to visit him following an incident of firing at his car, injuring his driver The actor is safe and has not sustained any gunshot injuries, as per Mumbai Police (Visuals source: Shivsena PR)
— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2026
Three men allegedly involved
Preliminary accounts indicate that three men arrived on a motorcycle.
Two of them allegedly approached the vehicle and opened fire, while the third appeared to be waiting to help them escape.
Reports differ on the number of rounds fired, with some accounts citing four shots and others reporting five or more.
Accused held while travelling by train
The accused have been arrested at Rajasthan's Kota railway station while travelling by train.
They have been identified as Phool Singh (17) and Rehan (18), both residents of Sonipat in Haryana, and Hritik Kumar, alias Roshan (22), from Begusarai in Bihar but currently lives in Andheri West, Mumbai.
According to media reports, all three are suspected to be linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Joint operation by police teams
Acting on information provided by Mumbai Police, a joint team of the Rajasthan Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) and Kota City Police apprehended the accused while they were travelling on the Pune-Jaipur Express.
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