Rohit Shetty firing case: Bishnoi gang conducted surveillance before attack, monitoring done using a scooter

Mumbai (The Uttam Hindu): New details have emerged in the firing incident outside the Juhu residence of filmmaker and producer Rohit Shetty, following an investigation by the Mumbai Crime Branch. Police have revealed that accused linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang carried out extensive surveillance of Shetty’s house and nearby areas for several days before the attack.

According to investigators, the same scooter used for surveillance was later used by the shooter to escape after firing five rounds outside the house. After the incident, the unidentified shooter fled on the scooter to Vile Parle railway station, abandoned it there, and then left Mumbai by train.

Police said the scooter used in the crime was purchased from Pune for ₹30,000. The vehicle was originally registered in the name of Anand Marote, who had bought it on August 6, 2009. Around 12 days before the incident, Marote sold the scooter to arrested accused Aditya Gaikwad for ₹30,000. The money was allegedly provided by Shubham Lonkar, believed to be the mastermind behind the attack.

As per the Crime Branch, on the instructions of Samarth Pomaji, accused Siddharth Yenpure and Swapnil Sakat attempted to transport the scooter from Pune to Lonavala by road to hand it over to the shooter. However, since the shooter did not reach Lonavala, the accused brought the scooter to Mumbai about 10 days before the incident and handed it over to the unidentified shooter, for which they were paid extra.

Police officials stated that the accused who delivered the scooter to Mumbai were aware that it was part of a criminal conspiracy, but they did not know that Rohit Shetty’s house was the target. The investigation has also revealed that Samarth Pomaji actively assisted the main shooter. Acting on Shubham Lonkar’s instructions, Pomaji arranged the scooter with the help of Gaikwad and played a key role in executing the plan.

Investigators further said that Pomaji remained in constant contact with Lonkar through the Signal messaging app and helped plan the firing as per Lonkar’s directions. So far, four accused—Aditya Gaikwad, Siddharth Yenpure, Samarth Pomaji, and Swapnil Sakat—have been arrested. The search for the alleged mastermind Shubham Lonkar is ongoing, and the investigation is continuing.