On October 24, Crime Branch Unit 9 (Bandra West, Mumbai) intensified its crackdown on drug peddlers, resulting in the arrest of an individual involved in the sale of narcotics. The police had received information that the accused was selling charas (cannabis resin) and other intoxicating substances from his residence. Acting on this intelligence and following the guidance of senior officers, a team from Crime Branch Unit 9—accompanied by independent witnesses (panches)—raided the premises on October 24. During the operation, 1.505 kilograms of charas were seized in accordance with legal procedures; the estimated value of the contraband is 15 million rupees (1.5 crore INR) based on international market rates.

A case has been registered in connection with this incident under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act. One individual, aged 40, has been arrested. Additionally, another person has been identified as a wanted suspect, and a search is currently underway to locate him.

This notable operation was carried out under the supervision of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner of Police Krishnakant Upadhyay, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Nonath Dhole.

Following the firing incident involving Tiger Shroff, an investigation has revealed that a businessman in Pune and a film star in Mumbai were on Lawrence Bishnoi’s target list. The gang’s objective is to instill fear among the film industry and the business community in order to extort money—specifically, to collect protection money or ransoms. The primary goal of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang is not necessarily murder, but rather the creation of terror and fear within the film industry and among business circles.

Currently, 56 operatives of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang are incarcerated in various Mumbai jails; they have been linked to over 10 criminal incidents in Mumbai and Pune over the past 2–3 years. Targeting Bollywood is a key objective for the Lawrence gang, and they have been involved in conspiracies to target film actors specifically to spread fear and terror throughout the business community.

In the Tiger Shroff case, it has emerged that the shooters underwent firearms training in the Aarey Colony forest. A shepherd witnessed the shooters practicing and serves as an eyewitness; according to him, three to four individuals trained there, and he saw them firing weapons. New revelations continue to surface in the case involving Tiger Shroff, with the Crime Branch making significant progress in its investigation.

Weapons have also been recovered in connection with the matter. Furthermore, the interrogation of the shooters arrested by the police has led to the discovery of a link to Anil Pandit—a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang—with whom the shooters were in contact.

Amid the rating controversy over the Rs 500-crore audio clip recently brought to light by Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil, Shiv Sena MP and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s son Shrikant Shinde broke his silence on Saturday, saying that he is also looking for the amount claimed in the purported audio clip.

He said that the person to whom these Rs 500 crores were supposed to be sent hasn’t reached him. “The question that has crossed Manoj Jarange Patil’s mind has also crossed mine, and I am now out searching for it,” he said.

In a sarcastic tone, he added, “We were discussing how Rs 500 crore in cash would look together and how many vehicles would be required to transport it.”

Shrikant Shinde’s reaction is important as the audio clip mentioned a transaction of Rs 500 crore, with allegations that this money was delivered to Jarange Patil through the former.

Shrikant Shinde clarified that the issue now falls under the purview of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and everything will come to light at the appropriate time. Just as Jarange Patil is investigating the issue, he mentioned that he is also looking into the matter himself.

“If you find out, you tell me; if I find out, I will tell you,” he remarked.

Amidst all these developments, Jarange Patil has warned that he possesses more “nuclear bombs.”

CM Fadnavis has already ordered a forensic probe, while BJP and Shiv Sena have demanded an impartial probe.

Earlier, Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan claimed that there is a deep-seated conspiracy to finish off the leadership of both Manoj Jarange-Patil and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He also demanded a technical and forensic analysis of the audio clip.

Further, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Chandrakant Khaire has levelled serious accusations against the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction.

He asked, “Who made Manoj Jarange Patil big, and why are they now trying to sideline him?” Khaire asserted that Jarange Patil fought to secure justice and rights for the Maratha community, which is why the community stood firmly behind him.”

However, he claimed that leaders have become worried about their own political future due to Jarange Patil’s growing influence.

Khaire demanded that the controversial audio clip be sent for forensic testing and the truth be brought before the public. He made a strong case for an impartial inquiry. Khaire also raised questions regarding the alleged Rs 500-crore transaction.

He demanded an inquiry into Shrikant Shinde if his name is being linked to this financial transaction. He further claimed that this entire episode has the blessings of the BJP, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.