Mumbai’s crime branch has notched a significant victory in the brazen firing incident outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s residence. A local court has remanded five arrested suspects to police custody until February 11, intensifying the probe into this shocking attack.
The accused include Swapnil Bandu Sakat, Siddharth Deepak Yenpure, Samarth Shivsharan Pomaji, Aditya Gyaneshwar Gayki, and Asharam Fasle. Investigators revealed that a pistol, an air gun, and three magazines were recovered from Swapnil’s home. Separately, three pistols were found in Asharam’s possession, underscoring the gravity of the armament involved.
During interrogation, it emerged that the suspects had deleted the Signal app from their phones, complicating efforts to retrieve chat histories and digital footprints. The crime branch argued strenuously in court for extended custody, emphasizing the need for deeper forensic analysis to unravel the conspiracy.
The prime suspect, Shubham Lonkar, remains at large, with multiple police teams scouring the country for his arrest. Defense lawyers countered that three of the accused—Siddharth, Samarth, and Aditya—only provided the vehicle used in the crime and were unaware of subsequent events. However, prosecutors dismissed these claims, insisting that crucial evidence lies buried in the deleted communications.
The incident unfolded late at night outside Shetty’s Mumbai home, prompting the director to file a complaint. Notably, Shetty reported no prior threats via calls or messages, leaving investigators puzzled about the motive. As the manhunt intensifies, authorities vow to dismantle the entire network behind this audacious assault on a Bollywood heavyweight.