A shooting involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai has put the Lawrence Bishnoi gang back in the spotlight.
But it is not just the attack that has raised questions. A man identifying himself as Anil Pandit has claimed responsibility, bringing fresh attention to his alleged links to the gang.
The message also hinted at why Shroff may have been targeted, pointing to his association with Salman Khan, who has faced repeated threats attributed to Bishnoi.
So, who is Anil Pandit? How did he allegedly become part of the gang’s network, and what is known about his role in the shooting?
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Who Is Anil Pandit? Tracing His Background
Anil Pandit has been identified as an alleged associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Reports describe him as being from Haryana and operating from the United States, where he is suspected of helping coordinate criminal activities linked to the network.
According to NDTV, Pandit has been linked to alleged shootings and other criminal activity across multiple Indian states. He has also been described as a close associate of the Bishnoi gang.
Reports have linked Pandit's activities to an international network involving locations including Canada, Thailand and Dubai. His alleged overseas presence has drawn attention to how criminal groups can use contacts outside India to communicate threats and claim responsibility for attacks.
Pandit’s role in the network reportedly developed after he left India. According to The Indian Express, he had no criminal cases registered against him before travelling abroad, while multiple cases have reportedly been registered against him since his alleged involvement with the gang.
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From Panipat To The US: How Did He Allegedly Join The Gang?
Pandit’s reported journey began in Panipat, Haryana. According to media reports, he left India for Canada in 2023 and later travelled to California in the United States. He allegedly came into contact with Randeep Malik, a gangster linked to the Bishnoi network, during this period.
Investigators have said that Pandit subsequently became involved in coordinating criminal activities in India while remaining overseas.
One important detail concerns his alleged handler. According to The Indian Express, Pandit does not receive instructions directly from Lawrence Bishnoi. Instead, he allegedly takes instructions from Hari Chand Jaat, also known as Harry Boxer, who is reported to be operating from the US.
Boxer has previously faced cases involving extortion, robbery and attempted murder in Rajasthan, Punjab and Delhi, according to the report.
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What Did Anil Pandit Say About The Tiger Shroff Incident?
On the evening of 18 October, unidentified motorcycle-borne men opened fire at a car carrying Tiger Shroff in Mumbai’s Juhu area. The actor had been out for a birthday-related outing when the incident took place near Pushpa Narsee Park, also known as Jamnabai Nursery.
Shroff was not seriously injured, while his driver and another person were reported to have sustained gunshot injuries. The incident prompted a police investigation and renewed scrutiny of threats against people associated with the Hindi film industry.
Soon after the shooting, a social media post and an audio recording circulated in which a man identifying himself as Anil Pandit claimed responsibility on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
In the recording, he alleged that Shroff had ignored earlier warnings and continued working with Salman Khan. The message also threatened other members of the film industry who worked with Khan. The claims and threats in the recording have not, by themselves, established who ordered the shooting.
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Why Was Tiger Shroff Targeted?
The motive cited in the message centred on Shroff’s association with Salman Khan.
Khan has faced repeated threats attributed to Lawrence Bishnoi, and the gang has previously been linked in police investigations and media reports to threats and attacks involving people connected to the actor.
The message claiming responsibility for the Juhu shooting appeared to extend that hostility to Shroff. It alleged that he had failed to follow the gang’s instructions and warned others against working with Khan.
What Happens Next?
The investigation has moved forward since the shooting. On 19 October, NDTV reported that Mumbai Police had arrested three men suspected of carrying out the attack at Kota railway station in Rajasthan. Their alleged links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang are also under investigation.
The arrests are an important development, but they do not automatically establish Pandit’s role or prove that he directed the operation. Police will need to examine the suspects’ alleged connections, the evidence gathered from the scene and the social media messages and recordings claiming responsibility.
Pandit’s whereabouts and the extent of his alleged involvement in the case remain important questions. If investigators establish that people operating from abroad coordinated the attack, the case could also raise questions about how Indian agencies pursue suspects outside the country.
For now, the distinction between an online claim and verified evidence remains central. The investigation must establish who planned the shooting, who carried it out and whether the people claiming responsibility had a direct role.
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TL;DR | News At Glance
Who Is Anil Pandit?
Anil Pandit, 32, is an alleged Lawrence Bishnoi gang associate from Panipat, Haryana, whose name surfaced after the shooting involving Tiger Shroff in Mumbai.
Where Is Anil Pandit Now?
Media reports suggest that Pandit is operating from the United States. He reportedly moved from India to Canada in 2023 before travelling to California in 2024.
What Is Anil Pandit’s Connection To The Lawrence Bishnoi Gang?
Pandit is suspected of being involved in the gang’s operations abroad. Reports have linked him to Hari Chand Jaat, also known as Harry Boxer, an alleged gang associate.
Which Criminal Cases Are Linked To Anil Pandit?
His name has reportedly surfaced in investigations into alleged shootings and extortion cases in Haryana, Delhi and Pune.
Why Is Anil Pandit In The News?
A man identifying himself as Anil Pandit claimed responsibility for the shooting involving Tiger Shroff in Mumbai on 18 October 2026. The claim brought renewed attention to his alleged links to the Bishnoi gang.
Has Anil Pandit Been Confirmed As The Mastermind Behind The Tiger Shroff Shooting?
His claim of responsibility does not establish that he planned or ordered the attack. Investigators must verify the recording and establish the roles of those involved.
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