Rohit Shetty Firing Case: Police Trace Scooter Used in Attack, Plan in Motion 10 Days Before Incident

Mumbai Police have made a major breakthrough in the ongoing investigation of the recent shooting at filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Mumbai residence. Authorities have traced the Honda Dio scooter used in the attack, revealing that the plot had been set in motion nearly 10 days before the incident.

Scooter Traced, Mastermind Identified
According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, two of the four arrested suspects brought the scooter from Pune to Mumbai and left it at a pre-determined location near Shetty’s Juhu residence. The shooter then took possession of the vehicle. Interrogation revealed that the mastermind behind the conspiracy is Shubham Lonkar, a wanted member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Firing at Shetty’s Nine-Storey Tower
The attack occurred late Sunday night at around 12:45 AM. Five bullets were fired at Shetty’s nine-storey tower, with one bullet hitting the glass of a gym inside the building. Shubham Lonkar, already wanted in the October 2024 murder case of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddiqui, allegedly claimed responsibility for the shooting on social media.

Mastermind Directed Shooter’s Actions
The Crime Branch confirmed that Lonkar personally directed the suspects on where to pick up the scooter and where to carry out the firing. The scooter, originally owned by a person in Pune, was sold to one of the arrested suspects, Aditya Gayaki, for ₹30,000. The transaction involved only a basic paper agreement and signatures.

Modus Operandi: Layered Groups to Avoid Detection
Authorities explained that Aditya and co-accused Samarth Pomaji transported the scooter to the designated spot in Mumbai. The suspects who purchased and delivered the scooter were unaware of the identity of the actual shooter. This layered approach, often used in high-profile crimes, reduces the likelihood of detection by isolating different groups from one another.

Suspects and Investigation
The four arrested suspects are Aditya Gayaki (19), Siddharth Deepak (20), Samarth Shivsharan Pomaji (18), and Swapnil Bandu (23). All were in direct contact with Shubham Lonkar, who issued the operational instructions. Police are still questioning a fifth suspect, believed to be the main conspirator. CCTV footage, technical intelligence, and local sources helped trace the suspects back to Pune, where five individuals were detained.

Shetty Safe During Attack
Rohit Shetty was at home on the seventh floor at the time of the firing and remained unharmed. Initially, security personnel mistook the gunfire for loud firecrackers. CCTV evidence later confirmed that unknown assailants had fired shots outside Shetty’s Juhu residence, causing panic in the area.

Heightened Security and Investigation
Following the incident, heavy police deployment has been made around Shetty’s residence, with increased patrolling and stringent security measures. Over 12 special investigation teams and forensic units are working on various angles of the case. Shetty’s statement has been recorded, in which he confirmed that he was safe and fully cooperated with the police.

Background of Arrested Suspects
Among the four, one suspect, Sakat, is unemployed and studying at Pomani College, while others work in a logistics company. One of the suspects already has a prior case registered against him. Police officials described the attack as a deliberate attempt on the filmmaker’s life.