In a major breakthrough in the February 1 firing incident outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Juhu residence, the Mumbai Crime Branch, working with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force and Haryana Police, has arrested a man from Agra — identified as the main shooter, Deepak Chandra Sharma — along with several other accused linked to the attack.
What the Police Found
- The accused from Agra and other parts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana were allegedly recruited through social media and local contacts by members of the Shubham Lonkar group, which police say is associated with the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
- Investigators say the recruits were promised money, recognition and a sense of mission in exchange for carrying out the firing — with some sources indicating amounts like ₹50,000 paid in advance and more promised after the act.
- Police allege the attack was intended to spread fear and assert control within criminal networks, not merely to target the filmmaker personally.
Arrests and Custody
- With the Agra arrest and others from Rajasthan, Haryana and UP, at least 11–12 accused have been taken into custody so far in connection with the case.
- All the suspects are being brought to Mumbai for further interrogation, and a special court has remanded some of the accused to police custody to allow deeper investigations.
- Shubham Lonkar, named by police as an organiser and gang figure linked to the incident, remains absconding and is a key focus of the ongoing hunt.
Context
- Around five rounds were fired at the exterior of Shetty’s residence in the early hours of February 1. No injuries were reported, but the incident sparked significant police action given its high profile.
- Authorities have invoked serious charges, including under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), reflecting concerns about organised crime links.
The investigation is ongoing as police continue to trace the full network behind the incident, recover the weapons used and determine broader motives.
