Mumbai: Actor Tusshar Kapoor allegedly received an extortion call from a person claiming to be associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, demanding Rs 5 crore from him. The actor informed Mumbai Police about the threat, following which the Anti-Extortion Cell and the Mumbai Crime Branch began investigating the matter.
However, a preliminary investigation has raised questions about the caller’s identity. Police sources said an examination of the audio recording found that the caller’s voice did not match the available voice samples of Harry Boxer, an alleged member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang whose name was reportedly used during the call.
Investigators suspect that the caller may have impersonated a gang member to intimidate the actor and extort money. The police are now working to identify the person responsible for making the threatening communication.
The incident comes weeks after actor Tiger Shroff was targeted in a shooting incident in Mumbai, which was allegedly claimed by individuals linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The latest threat has once again drawn attention to the use of organised crime group names in extortion attempts targeting people in the entertainment industry.
Caller allegedly identified himself as Harry Boxer
According to police sources, the caller introduced himself as “Harry Boxer” and claimed to be associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. He allegedly demanded Rs 5 crore from Tusshar Kapoor during the threatening communication.
The actor reportedly informed Mumbai Police immediately after receiving the call. Following his complaint, the matter was referred to the Anti-Extortion Cell and the Crime Branch for further investigation.
The use of the name of an alleged gang member is a key part of the investigation. Police are examining whether the caller had any genuine connection with the gang or deliberately invoked its name to create fear and pressure the actor into paying the demanded amount.
At this stage, investigators have not established the identity of the caller or confirmed any direct involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in the threat.
Voice samples do not match, police suspect impersonation
As part of the investigation, the Mumbai Crime Branch’s technical team examined the audio recording of the alleged extortion call.
Police sources said investigators compared the caller’s voice with official voice samples of Harry Boxer available in their database. The preliminary analysis reportedly found no match between the voices.
The Crime Branch also examined the recording alongside other available audio samples attributed to Harry Boxer. According to senior police sources, these comparisons similarly indicated that the voice on the threat call did not match the samples held by investigators.
The findings have strengthened the suspicion that the caller may have been impersonating the alleged gang member.
However, the voice comparison forms part of the preliminary investigation. Police will need to identify the caller and establish the origin of the communication before drawing conclusions about the person or group responsible.
The investigation is also expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the call and whether the threat was intended to extract money by exploiting the reputation of the gang.
Mumbai Crime Branch trying to trace caller
The Mumbai Crime Branch is now attempting to identify the person behind the alleged extortion call and trace the source of the threatening communication.
Investigators are looking into whether the caller deliberately used the Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s name to make the demand appear credible. Such impersonation, if established, could indicate an attempt to use the fear associated with organised crime groups to pressure the actor into making a payment.
The police are examining the available technical evidence as part of efforts to trace the communication. Identifying the caller will be important in determining whether the person acted independently or had any connection with others.
The authorities have not publicly confirmed the identity of the caller. They have also not established whether the alleged demand was made on behalf of any organised criminal group.
No FIR registered yet
According to police sources, Tusshar Kapoor lodged the complaint around a week before the details of the incident emerged. However, no First Information Report (FIR) had been registered in the case at the time of the report.
The investigation remains underway, with officials continuing efforts to establish the caller’s identity and determine the source of the alleged threat.
The absence of an FIR at this stage does not mean that the complaint has been dismissed. The Crime Branch is examining the available information, including the recorded call and the voice comparison findings.
Further action will depend on the outcome of the investigation and the evidence gathered by the police.
Threat follows shooting incident involving Tiger Shroff
The alleged threat to Tusshar Kapoor comes weeks after a shooting incident involving actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai. Individuals linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang allegedly claimed responsibility for that incident.
The two developments have brought renewed attention to security concerns involving members of the film industry. However, the investigation into Tusshar Kapoor’s complaint has so far raised doubts about whether the caller was genuinely connected to the gang.
The distinction is important because invoking the name of a criminal group does not, by itself, establish that the group was involved in an extortion attempt.
For now, the Mumbai Crime Branch is focused on identifying the person who allegedly demanded Rs 5 crore from the actor. The preliminary voice analysis has provided investigators with a reason to examine possible impersonation, but the caller’s identity and motive remain to be established.