Did Instagram Radicalize The Shooters Behind The Rohit Shetty Attack?

Rohit Shetty Extortion Plot: Mumbai Crime Branch Arrests Wanted Criminal Pradeep Kumar In Agra Joint Operation

Mumbai — A high-stakes chase straight out of a cop universe movie culminated on Thursday afternoon when the UP STF and Mumbai Crime Branch arrested a key suspect linked to the terrifying February 1 shootout at filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s residence.

The Agra Takedown

The suspect did not stand a chance. At exactly 3:56 PM on Thursday, a joint task force cornered Pradeep Kumar, alias Gaath, near the Chhadami Mattha area on the Agra-Etah road. The operation was meticulously supervised by Rakesh, Additional Superintendent of Police for the STF Field Unit in Agra.

Following intense technical analysis and cross-state intelligence sharing, the Mumbai Police finally got their man.

This marks the ninth major arrest in this deeply unsettling saga. Previously, cops had already tracked down eight other associates, including Pradeep Sharma alias Golu, Deepak, and Vishnu Kushwaha.

Social Media: The New Underworld

Here is the uncomfortable truth about modern crime. The underworld isn’t just operating in shadowy alleyways anymore. They are literally doomscrolling.

According to the official police statement, Pradeep was heavily radicalised into gang culture through the notorious Shubham Lonkar gang’s active presence on Facebook and Instagram.

During preliminary questioning, Pradeep admitted that he joined associates Sunny, Deepu, and Sonu simply to establish “dominance” in the underworld. It wasn’t just about extorting cash. It was a twisted PR move designed to strike fear into the heart of the film industry and the general public.

The Juhu Nightmare Revisited

Let’s rewind to the night that shook the entire industry. On February 1, 2026, gunshots echoed through Mumbai’s upscale Juhu suburb. Unidentified gunmen opened fire at Shetty Tower, shattering the glass railing on the director’s balcony.

Rohit Shetty is the undeniable king of the box office. He single-handedly built the Cop Universe and directed massive hits like Chennai Express.

An attack on him isn’t just an isolated incident. It sends a chilling message to every A-lister, studio head, and even the fandoms on Stan Twitter who follow their favourite stars’ every move.

Following the brazen attack, Mumbai Police slapped the perpetrators with a slew of heavy charges. The case is registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act, the Maharashtra Police Act, and the extremely stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

What Happens Next?

The law is closing in fast.

Following his capture, Pradeep Kumar was officially handed over to the Mumbai Police team at the Bah police station. The Mumbai Crime Branch is expected to secure transit remand shortly to bring him back to Maharashtra.

This isn’t over yet. With MCOCA in play, the Shubham Lonkar gang is facing a brutal legal battle. We will be tracking this closely as more names inevitably drop.