This arrest brings the total number of individuals in custody to 12, as police continue to dismantle the network behind the high-profile extortion attempt.
The Arrest: A Cross-State Operation
The arrest was the result of weeks of technical surveillance and intelligence sharing between Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh authorities:
The Location: Pradeep Kumar was nabbed from the Chhadami Mattha area on the Agra-Etah road.
The Background: A resident of Ashok Nagar in Agra, Kumar admitted to participating in the crime along with associates Sunny, Deepu, and Sonu.
The Motive: During interrogation, the accused revealed he was motivated by the social media presence of the Shubham Lonkar gang (linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi network). He stated he joined the mission to establish "dominance" in the underworld.
Recapping the Incident: February 1, 2026
The attack, which occurred over two months ago, was a clear attempt to intimidate the Hindi film industry:
The Firing: On the night of February 1, multiple rounds were fired at 'Shetty Tower' in Juhu. One bullet reportedly struck the glass railing of the balcony, while another hit the gymnasium area.
The Responsibility: Shortly after the incident, a social media post from an account named 'Shubham Lonkar Arzoo' claimed responsibility, calling the firing a "trailer" and issuing warnings to the filmmaker.
Case Status: MCOCA Invoked
Aspect Current Detail Total Arrests 12 (including main shooter Deepak Sharma and Pradeep Kumar) Key Gang Link Shubham Lonkar Gang / Lawrence Bishnoi Network Legal Charges MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act), BNS, and Arms Act Lead Investigation Anti-Extortion Cell, Mumbai Crime Branch
"Technical Analysis" Leading to the Break
Mumbai DCP Crime Raj Tilak Roushan confirmed that the breakthrough came through a mix of human intelligence and high-level technical analysis.
The Search Continues: While the primary shooter and key logistical supporters are now in custody, the search for the remaining members of the gang and the primary mastermind, Shubham Lonkar, remains ongoing.
Legal Proceeding: Pradeep Kumar was produced before a local court in Agra and has been handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch on transit remand for further interrogation.
SantaBanta Verdict:
The arrest of the 12th accused signals that the Mumbai Police is not taking the "gangster threat" to Bollywood lightly. By invoking the stringent MCOCA, authorities are aiming to not just solve the firing incident but to cripple the entire financial and operational backbone of the Lonkar gang. For Rohit Shetty, who is synonymous with the "Cop Universe" on screen, the real-life Mumbai Police has delivered a "mass" result that matches his cinematic style.
