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,...

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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.

NEP: Changing Landscape of Education

Vishal Varma

Jun 30

3 min read

Education is the foundation of a nation's progress, and India has embarked on a transformative journey with the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Introduced after more than three decades, NEP 2020 aims to make the Indian education system more inclusive, flexible, multidisciplinary, skill-oriented, and globally competitive. As educational reforms continue across the country, the policy remains one of the most significant developments shaping the future of students, teachers, and institutions.

One of the key features of NEP 2020 is the replacement of the traditional 10+2 structure with the 5+3+3+4 curricular framework, which aligns with the developmental stages of children. This new system emphasizes early childhood care and education, recognizing that the first eight years of a child's life are crucial for cognitive and emotional development. The policy also promotes activity-based and experiential learning rather than rote memorization, encouraging students to develop creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Another important reform under NEP 2020 is the emphasis on multidisciplinary education. Students are no longer expected to remain confined to a single stream of science, commerce, or arts. Instead, they have the flexibility to choose subjects according to their interests and career aspirations. This approach allows learners to combine disciplines such as mathematics with music, or economics with computer science, preparing them for an increasingly interconnected world.

The policy also focuses on skill development and vocational education. By introducing vocational training from the school level, NEP aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and employability. Students are encouraged to participate in internships, local crafts, entrepreneurship, and practical learning experiences. This shift reflects the growing demand for job-ready graduates in India's rapidly evolving economy.

Technology has become another cornerstone of educational transformation. The widespread use of digital classrooms, online learning platforms, artificial intelligence, and virtual laboratories has accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic. NEP 2020 strongly advocates the integration of technology in teaching, learning, assessment, and administration. However, it also recognizes the challenge of the digital divide, particularly in rural and economically weaker regions, where internet connectivity and access to devices remain uneven.

Teacher education and professional development have received special attention under the policy. Continuous training, improved teaching methodologies, and greater academic autonomy are expected to enhance the quality of education. Teachers are viewed not merely as instructors but as facilitators who inspire curiosity, innovation, and lifelong learning among students.

In higher education, NEP 2020 introduces significant reforms aimed at improving quality and flexibility. The policy promotes multidisciplinary universities, multiple entry and exit options, and the *Academic Bank of Credits (ABC)*, enabling students to pause and resume their education without losing academic progress. Research and innovation are also being encouraged through stronger institutional support and collaboration between universities, industries, and research organizations.

Current developments in Indian education indicate that many states and educational institutions are gradually implementing various aspects of NEP 2020. Universities are revising curricula to include outcome-based education, interdisciplinary courses, and skill-oriented programs. Digital learning platforms continue to expand, while institutions are increasingly adopting blended learning models that combine classroom instruction with online education. The growing emphasis on coding, artificial intelligence, data science, environmental education, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship reflects the changing needs of the twenty-first-century workforce.

Despite these positive developments, several challenges remain. Effective implementation requires substantial investment in infrastructure, teacher training, digital resources, and educational governance. Rural schools often face shortages of qualified teachers, laboratories, and internet access. Moreover, ensuring equitable access to quality education for students from marginalized communities continues to be a priority. Addressing these challenges will require sustained collaboration among governments, educational institutions, teachers, parents, and civil society.

NEP 2020 represents a bold vision for transforming India's education system into one that nurtures knowledge, skills, values, and innovation. Its success will depend not only on policy reforms but also on effective implementation at the grassroots level. As education continues to evolve in response to technological advancements and global opportunities, NEP 2020 has the potential to prepare India's youth to become confident, competent, and responsible global citizens. By fostering holistic development, promoting lifelong learning, and encouraging excellence with equity, the policy lays the foundation for a stronger and more resilient education system that can meet the aspirations of a rapidly developing nation.

(The writer is Assistant Professor, Dayanand College of Commerce, Latur. Views personal.)

Accused trio get 10-day remand

NEP: Changing Landscape of Education

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