The Mumbai Crime Branch has recovered two firearms and 10 live cartridges from Surat in Gujarat in connection with the firing incident near Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff’s football turf in Juhu, Mumbai.
Mumbai Crime Branch made the recovery on October 23, Friday, as part of the investigation into the firing incident that took place on October 19.
The case was registered under Sections 109(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act.
The recovery of the firearms and ammunition from Surat marks a significant development in the probe. Investigators are examining the evidence as part of their efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Shooters received real-time updates from the handler
In another development, the investigation into the firing incident targeting Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff has revealed that the shooters were in constant contact with their handler through phone calls and messages.
According to sources from IANS, the shooters remained in touch with their handler during and after the October 18 attack. They were provided with updates about developments in the case and the police operation to identify and apprehend them.
The IANS sources also revealed that after information about the shooters’ identities and appearances began emerging, the handler instructed them to leave the area. The accused were also reportedly kept informed about news coverage of the incident.
Investigators suspect that someone was monitoring television news channels and passing relevant information to the accused.
Accused received instruction to leave Mumbai
When footage of the shooting and images of the suspects, captured in videos recorded by vloggers, were broadcast, one of the accused, Rehan Ansari, received messages instructing him to leave.
However, the identity of the person who monitored television coverage and relayed information to the shooters remains unknown.
Moreover, the police are investigating the communication network used by the accused and their associates.
According to police sources, investigators suspect that Anil Pandit, who is believed to be in the US, or Ankit Khattak and Sameer Khatri, who were recently arrested in Sonipat, may have been involved in directing Rehan through Internet-based communication applications.
The police have reportedly recovered photographs, videos and details of conversations from the accused.
The investigation has also revealed that the suspects allegedly changed their travel plans and modes of transport in response to information about police movements, as per IANS.
(With inputs from IANS)