Man accused of sexually assaulting two minors at Badlapur school shot dead

The Thane Police said they retaliated when Akshay Shinde snatched the gun of one of the policemen and opened fire at them. One police personnel was injured, they said.

Maharashtra’s Thane police on Monday (September 23, 2024) shot dead Akshay Shinde, accused of sexually assaulting two minors at a school in Badlapur town, after, as per police, he snatched the gun of one of the policemen and opened fire at them.

The Thane crime branch police visited the Taloja jail at 5:30 pm and took 24-year-old Mr. Shinde in custody in connection with a fresh case of sexual assault filed by his wife. When the team approached the Mumbra bypass road around 6:30 p.m., Mr. Shinde snatched a gun from one of the constables and shot him, the police said. Police personnel Nilesh More was injured in the incident.

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Talking to reporters, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the death of Akshay Shinde. Mr. Fadnavis said, “He [Mr. Shinde] opened fire at police personnel and also in the air. Police fired at him in self-defence. The preliminary information we have is that he has died. Doctors are yet to announce it.”

Meanwhile, Opposition leaders, including NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and State Congress president Nana Patole, strongly criticised the Mahayuti government over the “encounter”. They said the State government committed an injustice against the victims, and called for an investigation led by a sitting High Court judge.

Also read | Badlapur police encounter: Family challenges claim that assault case accused fired at cop first

Mr. Pawar criticised the handling of the case, saying that justice for the two children should have followed the proper legal process. “The negligence of the Home Department in transferring the main accused is questionable. It appears the government has beciome weak in upholding the law, allowing space for such heinous acts. A thorough investigation is needed to uncover the truth,” he said.

Mr. Patole raised concerns about whether there was an attempt to protect the absconding accused or hastily close the case by eliminating the main accused. “The school trustees, who were involved in the Badlapur atrocities, remain at large. Why haven’t they been apprehended yet?” he asked.

He also asked, “Is the police encounter part of a higher-level conspiracy to cover up the entire issue? A judicial inquiry by a sitting High Court judge is necessary to reveal the facts.”

Published - September 23, 2024 08:52 pm IST