The Maharashtra government has decided to hand over the investigation into the encounter killing of Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case, to the Crime Investigation Department (CID). Shinde, 24, who was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two minor girls at a school in Badlapur, was shot dead by police on Monday night under controversial circumstances.
According to the police, Shinde was shot after he allegedly snatched a pistol from one of the officers and fired at them while being transported in a police vehicle. He was reportedly being moved as part of an investigation into another case, filed by his ex-wife. The encounter took place at the Mumbra bypass, where Shinde was killed in what the police claim was an act of self-defense.
However, the police’s version of events has been met with skepticism from opposition leaders and Shinde’s family.
NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad was among the first to challenge the police narrative, calling it “baseless.” He questioned how a handcuffed man could overpower several police officers, snatch a weapon, and fire at them.
“How can a handcuffed accused snatch a policeman’s revolver and fire at him when five more officers were present?” Awhad asked.
Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh echoed similar concerns, also highlighting the fact that the school where the sexual assault occurred is owned by a BJP leader. He called for a thorough investigation into the matter, suggesting that a retired High Court judge should lead the probe.
“When both hands of Akshay Shinde were tied, how could he fire the bullet? There have been efforts from the beginning to cover up the case, and this encounter seems like a convenient conclusion,” Deshmukh stated.
Shinde’s family has also expressed doubts about the police’s account. His mother and uncle claim that the police coerced him into signing a “confessional statement” and that he was beaten while in custody. Shinde’s mother questioned the possibility of her son firing at the police, saying, “He was scared of bursting crackers and crossing roads. How could he shoot at anyone?”
The family maintains that Shinde was framed and that the police’s version of the incident is fabricated to justify the encounter.
Following the public outrage and the questions raised by opposition leaders, the state government has announced that a CID team will investigate the encounter. A team of CID officials will visit the site of the incident at Mumbra bypass and will record statements from the police officers involved.
The investigation is expected to cover the circumstances leading to the encounter and whether due process was followed by the police. The state government is under pressure to ensure transparency, as the case has garnered significant public and political attention.
As the probe begins, opposition leaders continue to push for an impartial investigation. Deshmukh has called for the involvement of a retired High Court judge to ensure an unbiased inquiry. Meanwhile, the family of Akshay Shinde hopes for a fair investigation to uncover the truth behind the controversial encounter.
The incident has sparked widespread discussions on police encounters and accountability in Maharashtra, with many questioning the legitimacy of such actions, especially in sensitive cases like
