Rohit Shetty House Firing Case: Bishnoi Gang Used ‘Dead Drop’ Model, New Revelations on Illegal Arms Supply

As the Mumbai Crime Branch intensifies its probe into the firing incident outside Bollywood producer-director Rohit Shetty’s residence, details of a highly calculated and sophisticated conspiracy are coming to light. Investigators have found that the Bishnoi gang executed the attack in a manner designed to ensure that the police could not trace the entire chain of operatives. The scope of the investigation has now expanded to include reconnaissance, illegal arms supply, funding and possible international links.

According to Crime Branch sources, the shooter was neither handed the weapon directly nor provided a vehicle. Instead, the gang adopted a “dead drop” model, ensuring there was no direct contact between the shooter and the logistics handlers. Acting on the instructions of the alleged mastermind, Shubham Lonkar, an elaborate plan was chalked out to arrange a scooter for the shooter.

Investigations reveal that arrested accused Swapnil Sakat and Siddharth Yenpure travelled from Pune to Mumbai with the scooter but never met the shooter. The two parked the scooter at a pre-decided location in Mumbai and immediately returned to Pune. Later, upon receiving instructions, the shooter independently reached the spot and took possession of the vehicle. Police believe this deliberate arrangement ensured that even if the logistics providers were caught, no link to the shooter or the next level of the conspiracy could be established. Officials say this is one of the key reasons why the main shooter remains absconding even days after the incident.

The Crime Branch has also confirmed that the pistol used in the firing was brought from Pune to Mumbai and concealed in the scooter’s storage compartment. After obtaining the scooter, the shooter allegedly used the same weapon to fire at Shetty’s residence. However, where the shooter disposed of the firearm after the incident will only be known once he is arrested.

Investigators have received indications that the pistol was procured from Pune on the directions of Shubham Lonkar. Arrested accused Asaram Fasale is being questioned extensively regarding the cost of the weapon, the supply chain and the individuals involved. Police are also verifying whether the firearm was used in any previous criminal cases, with ballistic reports being matched against old crime records.

Sources said some of the arrested accused are childhood friends of Lonkar and were allegedly drawn into the conspiracy due to his name and criminal image. However, the police maintain that multiple modules were operating independently in this case. Preliminary findings suggest that the shooter and those providing logistical support belonged to different modules and never met each other directly.

So far, only Swapnil Sakat has a prior criminal record, with a case registered against him under the Arms Act. No significant criminal antecedents have been found against the other accused at this stage.

The investigation has also revealed that the suspected shooter is a resident of Bihar and was staying in Mumbai with four to five associates. He allegedly conducted reconnaissance of Shetty’s residence three to four times prior to the attack. During searches, police recovered a pistol, three magazines and an air gun from Swapnil Sakat’s residence. These weapons were allegedly handed over to him by arrested accused Asaram Fasale on the instructions of absconding mastermind Shubham Lonkar. Police are examining whether these arms were used in other crimes.

Police informed the court that funds were arranged to execute the conspiracy, and the money was allegedly used to purchase the scooter and other materials used in the crime. Investigators are now scrutinising bank accounts and financial transactions to trace the money trail.

Investigators have further found that the accused were communicating through the encrypted messaging app ‘Signal’. In an attempt to evade detection, some suspects deleted the app to destroy evidence. The mobile phone of the fifth accused, Asaram Fasale, has been sent for forensic examination to recover deleted data and chat records.