The Mumbai Crime Branch, probing the 31 October 2026 attack on Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff's vehicle, has reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was systematically working to supplant the feared influence of Dawood Ibrahim and his D-Company in Mumbai. Police sources indicate the gang's alleged long-term objective was to establish undisputed criminal dominance in the city — a move investigators describe as a direct challenge to Mumbai's traditional underworld hierarchy.

Gang's Alleged Strategy

According to senior Mumbai Police officials, the Bishnoi gang reportedly sought to recreate the climate of fear that gripped Mumbai during the 1990s — an era when a single phone call from the underworld was enough to send builders, businessmen, and film personalities into a state of panic. Investigators believe the gang's calculated use of high-profile targets was designed to signal its reach and intent to potential extortion targets across the city.

The Crime Branch contends that once such dominance was established, the gang planned to aggressively expand its alleged extortion network, demanding large sums from real-estate developers and members of the Bollywood industry — sectors historically vulnerable to organised crime.

Arrests and Key Evidence

Police have so far detained 12 people in connection with the firing on Tiger Shroff's car. Investigators reportedly recovered several sensitive audio clips during the probe, in which alleged underworld figures are mentioned. These recordings are currently undergoing forensic analysis as authorities attempt to map the full extent of the gang's network and pinpoint those allegedly involved in planning and executing the attack.

Notably, this is not the first time the Bishnoi gang has been linked to Bollywood-adjacent threats. The syndicate, run by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has previously been named in cases involving threats to other prominent film industry figures, suggesting a deliberate strategy of targeting high-visibility personalities to amplify its intimidation credentials.

Crackdown and Broader Network Under Scrutiny

The Mumbai Crime Branch has intensified its crackdown as part of efforts to dismantle the alleged network. Investigators are examining whether the Tiger Shroff firing was an isolated extortion bid or part of a broader, coordinated campaign to establish the gang's foothold in Maharashtra's commercial capital. Recovered evidence is being cross-referenced with prior intelligence on the gang's activities in other states.

This comes amid growing concern among law enforcement agencies about the Bishnoi syndicate's expanding national footprint, with alleged links to incidents across Rajasthan, Punjab, and Delhi in recent months. Authorities say further arrests are likely as the forensic evidence is processed.

What's Next

The investigation remains active, with forensic results from the audio recordings expected to be a key determinant in framing charges. Investigators are also studying whether hawala channels or cross-border communication networks were used to coordinate the attack. A chargesheet is expected once the forensic reports are finalised.