The father of Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case who was killed in what police have called a 'retaliatory firing,' has moved the Bombay High Court seeking a probe into his son’s death by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Anna Shinde, in his petition filed through advocate Amit Katarnaware, claimed his son was killed in a fake encounter and demanded the formation of an SIT, with the high court monitoring the investigation.
"This is a cold-blooded murder by criminals in uniforms," alleged Katarnaware, as quoted by news agency PTI. The petition will be heard on Wednesday by a division bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan.
Akshay Shinde, 24, was accused of sexually assaulting two minor girls in a school in Badlapur, Thane district. A contractual sweeper at the school, he was arrested on August 17, amidst large-scale protests triggered by the crime. On Monday evening, Shinde was being transported from Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai to Badlapur in connection with an FIR lodged by his former wife when the incident occurred.
According to police, the accused allegedly snatched a gun from a policeman and fired, injuring an assistant police inspector during the escort near the Mumbra bypass. Another officer then shot him dead, and he was later declared dead at Kalwa civil hospital. However, Anna Shinde's petition contests this version, claiming the encounter was staged, PTI reported.
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The Maharashtra government has directed the Crime Investigation Department (CID) to probe the encounter, but Akshay's family and Opposition leaders have raised doubts over the police's narrative. His mother and uncle also claimed the police, in collusion with the school management, conspired to kill him, adding, “Akshay could not have snatched the weapon as claimed.”
Badlapur Case: Sanjay Raut Alleges Maharashtra CM Shinde, Deputy CM Fadnavis ‘Want To Shield School Management’
Opposition leaders have criticised the government for what they allege is a cover-up. Sanjay Raut, a leader from Shiv Sena (UBT), stated, "This encounter was suspicious. How convincing is it that a school janitor can snatch a weapon from a policeman and fire? Akshay was the key evidence destroyed as Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis wanted to shield the school management."
Raut also highlighted that CCTV footage from the school has allegedly gone missing and accused the school of being linked to the BJP. He claimed that the encounter was an attempt to protect those associated with the school.
Former minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray questioned, “Where are the trustees of the Badlapur school? They are understood to be affiliated with the BJP and are being protected.” NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad from Kalwa-Mumbra echoed similar concerns, asking, “How could a handcuffed man snatch a weapon from a policeman surrounded by five others?”
Badlapur Case: Ruling Shiv Sena Slams Oppn Allegations
On the other hand, the ruling Shiv Sena defended the police's actions. Party spokesperson and Thane MP Naresh Mhaske criticised the Opposition for questioning the "bravery" of the officers involved. “It is unfortunate to question our police, who acted in self-defence. Critics should gather all relevant facts before jumping to conclusions," said Mhaske.
Meanwhile, an in-camera autopsy on Akshay's body was conducted on Tuesday, with the preliminary report revealing that he died from excessive bleeding, as per PTI. Forensic experts have collected evidence from the crime scene, and the police have registered a case of attempted murder against Akshay for allegedly firing at the officer.
While the CID probe continues, Shiv Sena workers were seen celebrating the encounter death by distributing sweets and bursting firecrackers in Badlapur, other parts of Thane, and even Pune.