Several major revelations have emerged in the firing incident allegedly carried out by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang outside the residence of noted Bollywood producer and director Rohit Shetty. According to sources, investigations by the Mumbai Crime Branch have revealed that prior to the firing, gang members had conducted a detailed recce of Shetty’s house and the surrounding Juhu area.
Sources said the recce was carried out using the same scooter that was later used in the firing, with the intention of ensuring an easy escape after the attack. Acting on this plan, after firing five rounds outside Shetty’s residence, the unidentified shooter fled on the scooter, reached Vile Parle railway station, abandoned the vehicle there, and escaped Mumbai by train.
Further investigation has revealed that the scooter used in the crime (registration number MH 12 FN 2205) was purchased from Pune for Rs 30,000. The money for the purchase was allegedly provided by the mastermind, Shubham Lonkar. According to sources, the scooter was originally registered in the name of Anand Marote, who had bought it on August 6, 2009. Marote had sold the scooter for Rs 30,000 to arrested accused Aditya Gaikwad about 12 days before the incident.
As per the probe, on the instructions of accused Samarth Pomaji, Siddharth Yenpure and Swapnil Sakat brought the scooter by road from Pune to Lonavala to hand it over. However, as the shooter could not reach Lonavala, the accused brought the scooter to Mumbai around 10 days before the incident and handed it over to the unidentified shooter, for which they were paid additional money. The shooter then allegedly conducted a recce of Shetty’s house and the entire locality for several days before carrying out the firing on Saturday.
Sources claimed that while the accused who delivered the scooter in Mumbai were aware that it was part of a criminal conspiracy, they did not know whose house was being targeted.
Investigators have also found that Samarth Pomaji actively assisted the main shooter. Police said that on the directions of Shubham Lonkar, Samarth arranged the scooter with the help of co-accused Gaikwad. Despite having full knowledge of the criminal conspiracy, Samarth allegedly played an active role and made a significant contribution to the execution of the crime.
According to sources, Samarth was in constant contact with Shubham Lonkar and communicated with him regularly through the Signal app. Acting on Lonkar’s instructions, Samarth allegedly prepared the entire plan for the firing outside Rohit Shetty’s residence.