Mumbai Firing Investigation Uncovers Social Media Recruitment of Accused
Investigations into the February 1 firing incident outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty's residence in Mumbai have revealed that the main shooter and six other accused were recruited by the Shubham Lonkar gang through social media platforms and local contacts. According to police sources, the youths were lured with promises of quick money, fame, and a sense of identity, which played a crucial role in their involvement in the crime.
Indoctrination and Financial Incentives Behind the Attack
Police sources indicated that the accused were allegedly indoctrinated with messaging that framed the act as a "mission" by "Hindu sainiks" aimed at creating fear and gaining notoriety. The main shooter, identified as Deepak Chandra Sharma, was reportedly paid Rs 50,000 in advance and promised a larger payout after the attack. This financial incentive, combined with ideological manipulation, appears to have motivated the group to carry out the firing.
Arrests and Module Involvement in the Case
In a significant development, the Mumbai Crime Branch, in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force, arrested seven more individuals on Monday in connection with the incident. Police investigations have identified two distinct modules involved in the planning and execution of the attack:
- Pune Module: Provided logistical support for the operation. Sources revealed that this module received approximately Rs 60,000 for their role, though police have cautioned that these figures are yet to be fully verified as the accused have been changing their statements.
- North India Module: Executed the actual attack. This module, consisting of seven people, including Deepak Chandra Sharma, Sonu Thakur, Hrithik Yadav, Vinshu Kushwaha, Jatin Bhardwaj, and Vishal Thakur, hails from regions such as Agra, Etawah, and Haryana. They were allegedly paid Rs 1 lakh to carry out the firing.
The arrests highlight the coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies across states to dismantle the networks involved in this high-profile case. Police are continuing their probe to verify the exact financial transactions and roles of each accused, emphasizing the complexity of the recruitment and execution process.
