Lagatar24 Desk
Thane: The body of Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur school sexual assault case, was buried at a crematorium in Ulhasnagar under heavy police security on Sunday. Shinde had been killed in an encounter with the police on September 23. Protests erupted during the burial as locals and political groups attempted to block the ambulance carrying his body and disrupt the burial process.
Protesters Attempt to Block Burial
Shinde’s body was transported from Kalwa Hospital to Ulhasnagar in an ambulance around 5:15 PM, under heightened vigilance. According to sources, a group of protesters, including Shiv Sena and BJP workers, gathered at the Shanti Nagar crematorium, located about 10 km from Badlapur, to oppose the burial. Some individuals attempted to stop the ambulance en route, but police managed to disperse the crowd.
At the crematorium, protesters led by Shiv Sena’s Ulhasnagar city chief Rajendra Chaudhary and BJP’s Ulhasnagar district president Pradeep Ramchandani were detained by police for attempting to halt the burial. The suspect’s family, including his parents, brother, uncle, and third wife, were present during the burial, which proceeded under strict security measures.
Police Intervene to Ensure Burial
Sanjay Jadhav, Additional Police Commissioner of Thane, confirmed that the burial was conducted based on a high court order and a request from Shinde’s family. However, just as the burial pit was being dug, Chaudhary and his supporters attempted to cover the pit, escalating the situation. Police officers, including ACPs Sunil Varade and Amol Koli, detained several protestors and ensured the pit was dug again. Additional security was deployed at the crematorium to control the crowd and prevent further disruptions.
Shinde’s Encounter Sparks Controversy
Shinde was shot dead on the Mumbra bypass road on September 23 after being taken into police custody from Taloja Jail. According to the police, Shinde became aggressive and attempted to snatch a weapon from the officers, resulting in a scuffle that led to the shooting. However, Shinde’s family has accused the police of killing him at point-blank range, prompting them to seek an investigation by the Bombay High Court. The family also requested that his body be buried rather than cremated, allowing for a potential exhumation in the future as part of the investigation.
Protests Over the Badlapur School Assault Case
The case has triggered widespread public outrage, particularly in Badlapur, where Shinde was accused of sexually assaulting a young girl in a school toilet in mid-August. Following his arrest on August 18, massive protests erupted, with locals blocking train tracks and demanding swift justice. The protests escalated into a 10-hour disruption of train services, and demonstrators vandalized the school where the assault occurred.
The High Court had previously expressed its dissatisfaction with the handling of the case by the police, noting delays in filing the FIR and failing to hold the school’s top officials accountable for their delayed response in reporting the crime. Amid the upcoming assembly elections, the case has become a significant point of political contention, with opposition parties criticizing the state government for its handling of law and order.
HC Orders Investigation into Encounter
The Bombay High Court has ordered an impartial investigation into Shinde’s encounter, questioning whether the use of force by the police could have been avoided. The case remains under scrutiny as the court continues to oversee the investigation.
