Tiger Shroff gets police protection after firing; extortion angle under scanner

Mumbai, Oct 20 : Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff has been provided with police protection following the firing incident targeting him, with police sources indicating that he had no security cover before the attack. 

Investigators suspect that the absence of security may have made him an easy target for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which allegedly opened fire in the incident.

According to police sources, the gang's apparent objective, based on its previous criminal activities, is believed to be spreading fear and extorting money. 

However, officials stressed that the investigation is still underway and the motive behind the attack is yet to be conclusively established.

The Mumbai Police's Protection Branch has deployed bodyguards for Tiger Shroff, while the local police station has also assigned a police officer and several personnel to provide security to the actor. 

However, the authorities have not yet clarified the specific category of protection granted to him.

Earlier on Monday, three alleged shooters suspected of involvement in the assassination attempt on the Bollywood actor were detained at Rajasthan's Kota railway station while travelling by train. 

The suspects were apprehended during a joint operation conducted by the Rajasthan Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) and the Kota City Police.

A juvenile is among the three individuals detained in connection with the case.

A juvenile is among those detained. One of the accused has been identified as Hritik Kumar alias Roshan (22), a resident of Piprai village in Bihar's Begusarai district, currently residing near the Urdu School in Mumbai's Andheri West and working as a bike rider. The third accused is identified as Rehan (18), a resident of Haryana's Sonipat.

The identities and backgrounds of the suspects are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation into the attack on Shroff.

In a related development, police in Sonipat questioned Sameer, a friend of Rehan, as investigators continued to gather information about the case. Sameer had previously been lodged in jail alongside Rehan in connection with a case involving illegal weapons.

Police detained Sameer for questioning to establish whether he had any information relevant to the investigation. However, he has not been formally arrested in connection with the case so far.

Officials clarified that Sameer was taken into custody only for questioning and that no formal arrest had been made against him. 

Further interrogation is underway.

Additionally, police said that the three suspects would be taken to Mumbai later in the day for further investigation.