Mumbai, February 7: A recent shooting incident at filmmaker Rohit Shetty‘s residence has sent shockwaves through Mumbai, and the investigation is gradually unraveling a significant conspiracy. The Mumbai crime Branch has revealed that the case involves illegal arms supply, substantial funding, and potential international connections.
According to police reports, on January 20, the accused, Siddharth and Samarth, arrived in Mumbai from Pune on a two-wheeler. Their mission was to deliver a scooter to a shooter, who was reportedly stationed near the Ville Parle railway station. This shooter, believed to be from Bihar, had been staying in Mumbai with four to five accomplices and had allegedly conducted reconnaissance of Rohit Shetty‘s home three to four times before the shooting.
Further revelations from the investigation include the recovery of a pistol, three magazines, and an air gun from the residence of accused Swapnil Sakhat. It was discovered that these weapons were handed over to Swapnil by Asaram Fasale, who was arrested on the instructions of the main conspirator, Shubham Rameshwar Lonkar. The police are now working to determine whether these weapons were used in any previous crimes.
The police informed the court that funding had been arranged for this conspiracy. Allegedly, this money was used to purchase the scooter and acquire other necessary items. Authorities are currently examining bank accounts and financial transactions to trace the source of this funding.
The investigation has also revealed that the accused were using the encrypted messaging app Signal. To evade capture, some suspects deleted the app, but police have sent the mobile phone of the fifth accused for forensic analysis to recover deleted messages and chats. This could help officials access other parts of the network.
The most crucial aspect of this investigation remains the capture of the unidentified shooter and the fugitive mastermind, Shubham Lonkar. Efforts to recover additional weapons and vehicles, conduct face-to-face interrogations with the accused, and identify other suspects involved in the conspiracy are ongoing.