The Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) of the Mumbai Crime Branch has achieved another major breakthrough in the firing incident outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s residence. Police have arrested one more accused from Pune, taking the total number of arrests in the case to five.
The newly arrested accused has been identified as Asharam Fasale. According to police sources, Fasale is the key supplier of the firearm and weapons used in the attack and had provided them to the main assailants involved in the firing.
So far, five accused are in police custody. With the arrest of the gun supplier from Pune, investigators believe they have established a crucial link in the conspiracy. All five accused will be produced before a Mumbai court on Wednesday for remand. The police custody of the four earlier arrested accused is ending today, and the Crime Branch is likely to seek further remand for detailed interrogation.
Despite the arrests of the weapon suppliers and conspirators, a major challenge remains. The main shooter who opened fire outside Rohit Shetty’s house is still absconding. Multiple teams of the Mumbai Police are conducting raids at various locations to nab the prime accused at the earliest.
The firing incident at the residence of the well-known film director had created panic across Mumbai. The police are also probing the case from an extortion angle. The Anti-Extortion Cell is investigating whether the firing was linked to a larger underworld syndicate or if it was merely an attempt to threaten and intimidate the filmmaker.