The Bombay High Court has raised serious concerns over the police encounter killing of Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur school sexual assaults case. The court’s scrutiny followed the submission of a judicial inquiry report, casting doubt on the police’s version of events. Additionally, the court has instructed the Maharashtra Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate allegations made by Shinde’s father, Anna Shinde, who claims he is being coerced into withdrawing the case.
The encounter, which occurred on September 23, saw Shinde killed by police during an escort from Taloja Central Jail. While the police claimed Shinde had snatched a firearm and attempted to fire on officers, leading to his death, the judicial inquiry report suggests discrepancies that challenge this account. Notably, the report highlights the absence of fingerprints on the weapon and no bullet marks at the scene, which contradicts the police narrative.
The court’s decision to probe further comes after Anna Shinde’s assertions that the encounter was a politically motivated murder rather than a legitimate act of self-defense by law enforcement. Anna has also alleged that he is facing threats to abandon the case, including pressure to change his legal representation.
Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Justice Neela Gokhale, who heard the case, have ordered the CID to investigate these claims and submit their findings by February 6. The court’s action followed a request from Akshay Shinde’s legal representative, Amit Katarnavare, who asked for police protection for Anna Shinde due to the alleged threats. Katarnavare also expressed concerns that Shinde was being coerced into withdrawing his legal case.
Shinde’s killing followed his arrest on August 16, 2024, for the sexual assault of two young girls at a pre-primary school in Badlapur, where he worked as a cleaning staff member. The case sparked widespread protests after the police’s initial delay in filing an FIR and handling the sensitive nature of the charges.
The state government appointed a Special Investigative Team to fast-track the inquiry into the sexual assault case, which was followed by Shinde’s death a month later. The police’s account claimed that Shinde had shot at an officer, prompting officers to retaliate and kill him instantly. However, the judicial inquiry casts doubt on this version, raising questions about the police’s conduct during the incident.
Following the judicial inquiry, five police officers involved in the encounter were named for responsibility in the custodial death. Police Inspector Sanjay Shinde, Assistant Police Inspector Nilesh More, and constables Abhijeet More and Harish Tawde have all filed intervention petitions, seeking access to the magistrate’s report for their defense.
As the investigation unfolds, the Bombay High Court’s intervention brings attention to the need for accountability and transparency in police encounters, especially in cases where allegations of misconduct arise. The court’s decision to push for a thorough probe into the encounter, alongside the investigation into the sexual assault allegations, is critical in ensuring justice for all parties involved.
