Maharashtra: Self-defense or cover-up? Accused in Badlapur sexual assault case killed in police 'retaliatory firing', opposition cries foul – News from India

Akshay Shinde, accused of sexually abusing two minor girls at a school in Maharashtra's Badlapur town, died in retaliatory police firing on Monday after he snatched a pistol from a policeman and opened fire, an official said.

The incident took place at around 6.15 pm when Shinde, 24, was being transported from Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai to Badlapur in Thane district in a police vehicle. When he reached Mumbra Bypass, Shinde allegedly grabbed a policeman's pistol and fired two-three shots, injuring Assistant Police Inspector (API) Nilesh More. In response, another policeman fired back, seriously injuring Shinde, reports PTI.

Shinde was rushed to a hospital in Kalwa where he later succumbed to his injuries. API Nilesh More, who was injured in the exchange of fire, is currently undergoing treatment, officials said. At the time of the shooting, four policemen and Shinde were in the vehicle.

Kejriwal shifts his focus after resigning as Delhi Chief Minister to reviving the AAP cadre and campaigning in the voting states

Sexual relations with the woman's consent due to fear or misconception are considered rape: Allahabad High Court

PN Gadgil Jewellers IPO starts today: Check GMP, price range and other important details before you subscribe

Death in Delhi training centre: Court orders remand of six accused, who must remain in CBI custody for four days

The incident came more than a month after large protests broke out in Badlapur, including at the local railway station. Shinde was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two young girls at a school where he worked as a cleaner.

As news of Shinde's death spread, residents in Badlapur were seen setting off firecrackers on Monday evening. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and state Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that police fired in self-defence, leading to Shinde's death.

“Akshay Shinde's ex-wife had accused him of sexual assault and complained to him. The police took Shinde (to Badlapur) to investigate the complaint. He snatched the gun from a policeman and opened fire at the officers. He also fired in the air. The police shot him in revenge,” Fadnavis said.

Shinde, a contract cleaner at the school in Badlapur, was arrested on August 17, five days after he allegedly sexually assaulted the two girls in the school toilet.

On September 3, the Bombay High Court asked the police to build a “watertight” case and not rush to file charges under public pressure.

Opposition calls for investigation into the “encounter”

Meanwhile, opposition leaders expressed shock over the “encounter” and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident. CM Shinde said Akshay's ex-wife had accused him of sexual violence and the police had arrested him on these charges.

“He grabbed a police officer's gun and opened fire. The police fired back in self-defense,” he told reporters.

Opposition leaders, however, questioned whether Akshay Shinde was killed to destroy evidence in a case that had sparked nationwide outrage.

Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan claimed that the “encounter” was staged to protect “other persons”. Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar, called the incident “shocking” and insisted on a judicial inquiry. State assembly leader Nana Patole speculated that the “encounter” may have been intended to protect the school administrators, who have yet to be arrested.

Akshay Shinde's uncle told a Marathi TV channel that his nephew, during a visit to Taloja jail on Monday, said that police beat him regularly. Asked if the encounter was an attempt to destroy evidence, Wadettiwar questioned how Shinde, allegedly handcuffed, got a gun and why the police were so lax. He demanded a judicial inquiry and also pointed out that no action was taken against the “BJP-linked” school management while Shinde was shot dead under suspicious circumstances.

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare compared the incident to the killing of four rape suspects in Telangana in 2019, where the truth never came out due to the deaths. She questioned whether Shinde was hiding something more sinister and why the school management was still not caught. Andhare also expressed doubts as to how Shinde, who was reportedly handcuffed, could have handled the firearm.

In response, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde criticised the opposition for previously calling for Shinde's execution but now defending him and questioning the police. He termed this change of policy reprehensible. When asked about the claims that Shinde's death was politically motivated, the chief minister dismissed them and accused the opposition of making baseless allegations out of frustration with the state's successful 'Majhi Ladki Bahin' programme.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis echoed this view, pointing out that the opposition had previously called for Shinde's execution and criticising their current stance in view of the fact that the police had acted to save lives.

NCP leader Sharad Pawar (SP) expressed concern over the Home Ministry's handling of Shinde's transfer and said Shinde should have been hanged legally, but demanded a thorough investigation into the shooting. Noted criminal lawyer Ujjwal Nikam suspected that Shinde had attempted to take his own life as the evidence against him was strong.

A police official said that Shinde's autopsy would reveal whether he had sustained any previous injuries. Shinde's parents, who visited him at 3:30 p.m. on the day of the incident, claimed they learned of his death from the television news and not directly from the police.