Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has raised serious questions about the death of Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case, who was shot dead in police custody two days ago. The court, while hearing a petition filed by Shinde’s father, expressed doubts over the police’s version of events and called for an impartial investigation, possibly by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Shinde, 24, was accused of sexually assaulting two minors at a school in Badlapur, where he worked as a sweeper. While being transferred from Taloja Jail to Badlapur on Monday, police claim he snatched a policeman’s pistol and fired multiple shots, injuring an officer before being killed in retaliatory fire.
During the hearing, the bench of Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Prithviraj Chavan questioned the plausibility of Shinde’s actions. The petitioner’s counsel argued that Shinde had met his parents a day before the incident and was in no mental condition to execute such acts.
Court’s Tough Questions
The court challenged the police’s narrative, expressing doubt that a layman like Shinde could have operated a locked pistol. “A layman cannot fire a pistol unless trained. You claim he fired three bullets, but only one hit the police officer. What about the others?” the bench asked, adding, “This is hard to believe.”
The bench also raised concerns about the police’s use of force, stating, “The accused should have been shot below the knee.” The state’s counsel replied that the officer “did not have time to think.”
Concerns Over Investigation
The High Court emphasized the need for a timely investigation, questioning why the case papers had not yet been handed over to the state CID. “Time is of the essence in any investigation. Delay will lead to suspicion among the public,” the court said, directing the collection of call data records for all five occupants of the police vehicle.
The court also asked if there were CCTV cameras along the route and instructed that the footage be reviewed. “We expect the investigation to be impartial,” the court added.
Public and Political Reactions
The death of Akshay Shinde has sparked a political and public outcry in Maharashtra. Hoardings celebrating Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have appeared across Mumbai, with the phrase “Badla Pura” (revenge complete) and images of Fadnavis holding a gun. The opposition has questioned the police’s version of events, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut expressing skepticism about the story, stating that the encounter may have been staged to protect influential individuals linked to the school where the assault occurred.
NCP MP Supriya Sule also questioned how the accused, who was reportedly handcuffed, could have snatched a pistol in a moving vehicle, calling for the release of CCTV footage to clarify the incident.
As the investigation unfolds, the court has made it clear that any findings must be thorough and transparent, with a strong focus on maintaining the rule of law.
