The attack came at a traffic signal near the Western Express highway at around 8 pm after the car carrying Acharya and followed by his security car left Andheri. Acharya's car was overtaken by a Maruti 800 carrying four persons. Three of them jumped out and fired four rounds. They tried to drag Acharya out leaving the door of their car open. The intention, apparently was to kidnap Acharya.

In his statement to the police, Acharya has said that he was being threatened by Rohit Verma of the Chhota Rajan gang and had received a call from Verma today morning. Acharya had been provided police protection but three days ago, he requested that the policesecurity be withdrawn. He replaced it with his personal bodyguard.