The recent attack on actor Tiger Shroff, allegedly orchestrated by members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, has instilled a growing sense of fear within the Bollywood community and the broader Mumbai business sector. In response to these concerns, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured that the gang’s intention was merely to intimidate film personalities and that those responsible for the attack would be apprehended swiftly.

During an informal media interaction, Fadnavis confirmed that the alleged shooters had been arrested. He praised the Mumbai police for their prompt action, noting that the suspects were apprehended within 15 hours of the incident through a coordinated operation spanning multiple states.

On the evening of October 18, Shroff narrowly escaped injury when two suspected contract killers opened fire on his vehicle in Juhu, a suburb of Mumbai. The attack resulted in injuries to Shroff’s driver and a bystander, but the actor himself managed to evade serious harm.

Details of the Attack and Arrests

According to police reports, the attack on Shroff involved three individuals: Hritik Kurmi, also known as Roshan Fighter, aged 22; Rehan Rahisuddin, alias Sukka, aged 18; and Phool Singh, aged 18. These individuals were arrested at the Kota railway station in Rajasthan. Investigations revealed that Shroff’s quick reflexes helped him avoid a direct hit, as he ducked back in his seat when shots were fired.

However, he sustained injuries from shattered glass. Following the shooting, Anil Pandit, a gangster reportedly based in the United States, claimed responsibility for the attack. He issued threats to the film industry and demanded that actor Salman Khan apologise to his “brother” Lawrence Bishnoi, as Khan is implicated in a 1998 incident involving the killing of a blackbuck, a protected animal in Rajasthan.

Law enforcement has made significant progress in the investigation, with 13 arrests made across various states, including Haryana and Rajasthan. These arrests include Pandit’s sister-in-law, highlighting the extensive network allegedly involved in the attack on Shroff.

Wider Implications of the Bishnoi Gang’s Activities

Fadnavis indicated that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang operates from abroad, with approximately four key figures involved. One of these individuals, Harichand Jat, also known as Harry Boxer, has been arrested in the United States, while another arrest is anticipated soon. The attack on Shroff is perceived as part of the gang’s expanding influence in Mumbai, a city that had previously seen a decline in underworld activities due to police interventions in the 1990s and 2000s.

Incidents linked to the Bishnoi gang have been escalating. In April 2024, gunfire was directed at Salman Khan’s residence, and in October of the same year, former minister Baba Siddique was murdered outside his office, with the Bishnoi gang claiming responsibility for that assassination. Anmol Bishnoi, Lawrence’s brother, has been identified as the primary suspect in Siddique’s murder.

Lawrence Bishnoi is currently incarcerated at Sabarmati Jail in Gujarat, while Anmol was deported from the United States last year and is detained at Tihar Jail in Delhi. An order from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs restricts investigating agencies from transferring the Bishnoi brothers out of jail.

In addition to addressing the gang-related issues, Fadnavis also discussed ongoing river-linking projects in Maharashtra, which are expected to be completed within eight years. These initiatives aim to alleviate water scarcity in drought-affected regions, including a World Bank-funded project to divert floodwaters from Sangli and Kolhapur to the Ujani dam in Solapur.

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