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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 8:56:24 pm

Accused trio get 10-day remand

Mumbai: A Mumbai Court has given 10 days police custody to three arrested accused in the firing on Bollywood action star Tiger Shroff in a crowded public place as the investigators attempt to unravel the conspiracy, motives, involvement of other players and related aspects of the sensational case, on Wednesday. The accused trio Rehan alias Sukka, and Phool Singh both from Sonipat in Haryana and Rhitik Kurmi alias Roshan, originally from Begusarai in Bihar but currently residing in Mumbai,...

Accused trio get 10-day remand

Mumbai: A Mumbai Court has given 10 days police custody to three arrested accused in the firing on Bollywood action star Tiger Shroff in a crowded public place as the investigators attempt to unravel the conspiracy, motives, involvement of other players and related aspects of the sensational case, on Wednesday. The accused trio Rehan alias Sukka, and Phool Singh both from Sonipat in Haryana and Rhitik Kurmi alias Roshan, originally from Begusarai in Bihar but currently residing in Mumbai, were brought here from Kota in separate vehicles early today. They were produced before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Esplanade Court where the police sought 14 days’ custody for the accused who are allegedly acting at the behest of the jailed mafia chief Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang. Pleading for the remand, the police lawyers argued that sustained custodial interrogation was necessary to recover the weapons used in the shooting – which the accused had thrown away while fleeing, retrieve two mobile phones which were reportedly destroyed by the accused, besides digging out the entire conspiracy, pinpoint the exact motives and identify other persons involved in the brazen attack. Opposing the plea, the accused’s lawyers Ajinkya Mirgal and Satyabrat Joshi argued that police custody was unnecessary, particularly for recovering the weapons. Mirgal and Joshi later told mediapersons that the accused had already been interrogated at a railway colony during their transit-remand period and were produced before the CMM Court just minutes before the transit remand expired this afternoon. After hearing both sides, the CMM remanded them to police custody for 10 days till October 31. It may be recalled that Shroff, 36, was targeted on the evening of October 18 near Pushpa Narsee Park in Juhu. Despite being a heavily crowded area, the assailants were seen firing at least 5-6 rounds at the actor’s car before fleeing on a motorcycle. A shaken Shroff escaped relatively unhurt, sustaining minor bruises, but his driver and a bystander suffered injuries. Following the incident, the Mumbai Police registered a case of attempted murder and offences under the Arms Act, and launched an interstate investigation involving Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan, and later Gujarat and Delhi. The Mumbai Police formed 20 teams to hunt down the attackers, recovered the second-hand motorcycle outside Andheri station where it was abandoned and tracked their journey through different modes of transport from Mumbai to Surat and Kota. Acting on a tech-intel alert from Mumbai Police, the Kota Police lay in wait for them and apprehended them from the general coach of the Pune-Jaipur Superfast Express on Monday morning. Initial probe revealed that the assailants were planning to flee the country after travelling to the borders via Jaipur and Delhi. They were lured by the promise of sneaking them out of India to a foreign country, possibly Canada and rehabilitating them. Three key accused brought to Mumbai from Kota Three key accused apprehended in connection with the firing at actor Tiger Shroff’s car were brought to Mumbai from Kota in Rajasthan early on Wednesday, police said. Police brought them by road from Kota to Mumbai and, upon arrival, immediately took them to GT Hospital for a mandatory medical examination, an official said. Following the medical check-up, the accused were escorted to the Mumbai Crime Branch’s Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) office for interrogation. The accused have been identified as Rehan alias Sukka, from Sonipat in Haryana; Ritik Kurmi alias Roshan, originally from Begusarai in Bihar and living in Mumbai; and Phool Singh from Haryana, the official said. The Kota city police had handed them over to Mumbai Police, which formally arrested them and produced them before a magistrate there. The court granted transit remand to take them to Mumbai. Meanwhile, advocate Ajinkya Mirgal arrived at the AEC office in Mumbai on Wednesday morning, informing officials that he would represent the accused as their defence counsel in the case. At least two men fired gunshots at Shroff’s car in Mumbai’s Juhu area on Sunday evening before speeding away on a motorcycle. The actor escaped relatively unhurt, while his driver and a bystander were injured. According to Mumbai Police, five to six rounds were fired at the car. A motorcycle, allegedly used by the shooters, was found abandoned in Andheri. The accused fled to Surat and once there, boarded a Jaipur-bound train. The three were supposed to go to Delhi on a bus and then flee to Nepal. The Mumbai Police have registered a case under the provisions of attempt to murder and the Arms Act. According to the police, Rehan was in touch with Anil Pandit, an alleged associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which claimed responsibility for the attack in an unverified social media post. On Tuesday, the Delhi Police Special Cell arrested four more persons, including two women, in connection with the firing case. Police suspect they were acting on the directions of Anil Pandit, a gangster operating from abroad, an official earlier said. The four accused, identified as Kunal (21), Sumit (19), Radha (23), and Babita (23), were apprehended from Delhi and Haryana. According to police, Kunal allegedly collected a pistol and 20 rounds from Amritsar on the instructions of Anil Pandit, with Sumit accompanying him. Radha and Babita allegedly travelled to Mumbai with the weapon. Following the arrest, the police said the motive of the shooting was being ascertained, while the way Shroff was attacked, the assailants planned to kill him.

Cape Verde: Dreams Realised on Global Stage

Writer: Waleed Hussain
Waleed Hussain
Jul 5
3 min read

In the vast tapestry of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, few stories shine as brightly as that of Cape Verde, the Blue Sharks. A nation of just over half a million souls, scattered across ten volcanic islands in the


Atlantic, this archipelago has etched its name into football immortality. Not as champions in the traditional sense, but as beacons of hope, resilience, and the unyielding power of belief. Their debut tournament was not merely participation—it was a masterclass in defying odds, proving that size is no barrier to greatness.


Qualifying ahead of football titans like Cameroon in CAF Group D was already a triumph. With seven wins, two draws, and just one defeat in ten matches, Cape Verde secured top spot and their ticket to the expanded 48-team finals. For a country celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence, this achievement symbolized more than sporting success; it was a declaration of national pride and unity. The "11th island"—their vibrant diaspora across Europe and beyond—poured heart and soul into supporting the team, turning every match into a collective roar from the islands to the mainland.


From the opening whistle in Group H, Cape Verde announced their arrival with authority and grace. Holding European champions Spain to a goalless draw, with veteran goalkeeper Vozinha producing heroic saves at age 40, ignited imaginations worldwide. Then came a thrilling 2-2 stalemate against two-time champions Uruguay, where Cape Verde scored their first-ever World Cup goals and showed no fear against pedigree opponents. A hard-fought 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia sealed progression to the knockout rounds—unbeaten in the group stage. They became the smallest nation ever to reach the last 32, a record that underscores the magnitude of their feat.


The round of 32 clash against defending champions Argentina in Miami was destined to be legendary. Facing Lionel Messi and a star-studded side, few gave the Blue Sharks a chance. Yet, they delivered a performance for the ages. Trailing early, Cape Verde equalized not once but twice—Duarte's strike and Sidny Lopes Cabral's stunning wonder goal sending the stadium into delirium and forcing extra time. They pushed the mighty Albiceleste to the brink, only falling 3-2 after 120 grueling minutes. Messi himself praised their fight, swapping shirts and consoling players like Vozinha. In defeat, Cape Verde won something far greater: global admiration and a permanent place in World Cup lore.


What makes this run so profoundly inspirational is its deeper meaning. Cape Verde embodies the essence of football as the beautiful game—a sport where passion, tactical discipline, and collective spirit can level the playing field against financial powerhouses. Their players, many with roots in the diaspora, balanced club careers with national duty, training on modest facilities yet competing with world-class intensity. Coach and staff fostered a family atmosphere, turning limited resources into an unstoppable force of will. For the youth of Cape Verde and aspiring athletes across small nations, this tournament sends a resounding message: Dare to dream. Your islands may be small, your population modest, but your heart and talent know no bounds. Every save by Vozinha, every surging run, every goal celebrated with island fervor reminded us that underdogs don't just write fairy tales—they live them.


As the 2026 World Cup continues, Cape Verde returns home as heroes. Their journey ends not in sorrow but in celebration. They leave behind unforgettable moments: the pride of a nation united, the respect of football giants, and proof that belief can carry you to extra time against the best. The Blue Sharks have inspired a generation, elevated African football's diversity, and shown the world that true victory lies in the courage to compete.


Cape Verde, your performance was more than football—it was poetry in motion, a symphony of hope. You made billions believe in the impossible. The islands echo with pride today, and tomorrow's dreamers will walk taller because of you. Onward, Blue Sharks. Your legacy is eternal.


(The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai.)

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