Rohit Shetty Firing Case: Mumbai Police invoke MCOCA against accused in attack on Bollywood director's residence

Mumbai: Five rounds of firing were reported outside film director Rohit Shetty's Mumbai residence on January 31, after which the Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the matter. During the investigation, it was revealed that Rohit Shetty was the main target of the attackers in this firing.

The Mumbai Police have invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused. The move signals that investigators are treating the incident not as an isolated act of intimidation, but as part of a larger organised crime network with potential links to notorious gangs.

What action has the police taken?

In this case, the police arrested the accused Asaram Fasale on February 5. According to the police investigation, Asaram Fasale was working as a garage mechanic for the last four years and was associated with the Lawrence gang. He used to supply weapons on the instructions of the gang's mastermind Shubham Lonkar.

Out of the four accused already arrested in this case, Asaram Fasale was directly identified with Swapnil Sakat, who was made by Shubham Lonkar. It is being told that on the instructions of Lonkar, Fasale himself supplied weapons to Sakat, which were later delivered to an unknown shooter. These same weapons were used in the firing incident.

The Crime Branch has also received information that some of Asaram's close associates were aware of his connection with the gang. However, the police are now investigating from that angle who those people are and whether they also have any direct connection with the Lawrence gang.

Apart from this, the police are also investigating from where Asaram got the weapons for this incident and how much money he got in return. The police team is also continuously investigating from this angle.

What is the whole matter?

On the night of January 31, at around 12:45 am, a firing incident took place outside the house of film director Rohit Shetty in Juhu area of ​​Mumbai. According to the police, at least five rounds were fired during this time, out of which one bullet hit the glass of the gym built in the building. The Lawrence gang has taken responsibility for this attack. This screenshot is from a Facebook post by an account named Shubham Lonkar Arzu Bishnoi.

"Today, the firing that took place at the house of film director Rohit Shetty (Shetty Tower) in Mumbai, we, Shubham Lonkar, Arzu Bishnoi, Hari Boxer, Harman Sandhu, take responsibility for it. We have messaged him many times not to interfere in our work, but he did not understand. We have given him a small trailer. If he does not understand us and does not listen to us, then now the bullet will go inside his bedroom, not outside the house, on his chest," this post read.

"And further, Bollywood is warned that you should improve on time, otherwise the situation will be very bad. We will make your situation worse than Baba Siddiqui. Whoever we have called, either come on the line on time, otherwise there will be less space to hide. And as many as our enemies are, be ready, we will meet you soon. Note- There was one, there is one and there will be one Lawrence Bishnoi gang," the post added.

Who are Shubham Lonkar and Arzu Bishnoi?

Shubham Lonkar is considered a key 'key operative' of the Lawrence gang. Shubham is the main suspect and conspirator in the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddiqui (October 2024). He also took responsibility for that murder on Facebook.

On the other hand, Arzu Bishnoi is being described as an active member of the gang, who helps manage the gang's activities through social media and threats.