The probe into the firing incident which took place against Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff on Sunday in Mumbai has brought the accused, Anil Pandit, under police scanner on Monday. The Delhi Police are suspecting that he has been coordinating extortion demands and attacks on celebrities, as well as businessmen from California.

Pandit, an alleged member of the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang, is wanted in more than 12 extortion cases in Haryana, as per police records. Police said he had no significant criminal antecedents before leaving India in 2023, but now, he is suspected of playing a role in criminal activities targeting high-profile persons and business owners.

Pandit allegedly claimed responsibility for firing at Shroff’s car in Mumbai’s Juhu Area on Sunday. The police personnel are examining the social media post and the suspected involvement of the gang in the attack.

Tiger Shroff (Left) and Anil Pandit (Right)

Anil Pandit under police’s scanner in multiple extortion cases

As per Delhi Police, Pandit is a native of the Rai Kalan village in Haryana’s Panipat district. The investigating police personnel suspect that he has been operating from California and is coordinating criminal activities linked to the Bishnoi Gang.

Police went on to say that Pandit has been working alongside other alleged members of the syndicate, including Harman Sandhu, Harry Boxer, Shubham Lonkar and Randeep Malik.

The cops are probing whether threats and firing incidents were allegedly used to intimidate targets and force them to pay extortion money. The extent of Pandit’s alleged role in the said cases, as well as the network’s activities, remain under probe.

Shroff escapes unhurt as assailants flee

The firing incident on Tiger Shroff unfolded in Mumbai’s Juhu area on Sunday evening, when three unidentified bike-borne men allegedly fired at his car. The actor escaped unscathed, while his driver and another person were reportedly injured in the incident.

Post-incident, Mumbai Police mounted a probe to identify the assailants and ascertain the motive behind the attack.

A senior official attached to Mumbai Police said the trio fled on a bike after firing at the actor’s car. They reportedly travelled along a route near the city’s Mithibai College and later took the SV Road which connects to Andheri Railway Station.

The accused separated after reaching the vicinity of Andheri Railway station and dispersed in different directions, in a bid to complicate the police’s efforts to track their movements.

Kota Police detain accused

In a striking development on Monday, Kota Police detained all the accused in connection with the incident. Police are now delving into their alleged involvement as they work to piece together the sequence of events and identify everyone connected to the murder bid.

Meanwhile, Pandit has claimed responsibility for the attack, and his claims have brought renewed attention to the suspected extortion network. Police are persevering in efforts to establish the links, if any, between the firing, the alleged members of the gang and the broader pattern of threats against celebrities and businessmen.