Tiger Shroff firing probe mirrors Baba Siddique murder, say police sources

The investigation into the firing on Tiger Shroff has thrown up several striking similarities with the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique. Police sources have described the alleged conspiracy as a "carbon copy" of the 2024 killing. In both cases the target was surveilled beforehand, there were three shooters, they received logistical help and an escape was arranged. Both incidents took place around Dussehra, though the timing of the festival alone does not link the two cases.

Siddique was shot on October 12, 2024, Dussehra day, outside his son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Bandra East. Police found that the shooters had tracked his every movement before the attack and familiarised themselves with the area. The role of the conspirators, who coordinated the entire operation and prepared the shooters for the attack, was also examined.

In Shroff's case, the accused carried out a recce of Pushpa Narsi Park in Juhu, where the actor regularly played football. The accused reached the ground on October 11 but left when Shroff did not turn up. They came again on October 18, the day of the firing. Police have reportedly found that photographs and videos of Shroff playing football were sent to an alleged handler before the attack.

In both cases, police found that the target was monitored in advance and information about his movements was used to plan the attack. The investigation is not limited to those present at the scene. A larger network suspected of helping with the attacks is also being examined.

Three shooters were identified in the Siddique murder investigation: Gurmail Singh, Dharmraj Kashyap and Shivkumar Gautam. There were three shooters in the Shroff case too. Two of them fired at the actor's vehicle, while the third waited on a motorcycle. Police are also looking at the roles of the alleged handlers and the other accused who helped set up the operation.

In the Siddique investigation, police had examined an alleged network that provided the shooters with lodging, transport, money and other arrangements. The aim was to establish how the conspirators coordinated with the shooters. In the Shroff case too, investigators are probing the support network behind the attack. According to police, several accused played a part in procuring and delivering weapons, arranging accommodation and providing other help. Communication between the shooters and their alleged handlers is also being traced, to establish who coordinated the attack.

On the day of Siddique's murder in 2024, the shooters reached the spot by autorickshaw because of an earlier incident involving their motorcycle. In Shroff's case, the attackers fled on a motorcycle after firing at the actor's vehicle at the Juhu ground. Police later traced the suspects through CCTV footage and other leads. The investigation also looked at the arrangements made to get the accused out of Mumbai.

On dates, Siddique was shot dead on October 12, 2024, which was Dussehra. The firing on Shroff took place on October 18, 2026, a day before Dussehra.