The father of Akshay Shinde, an accused in a high-profile sexual assault case, moved the Bombay High Court on Thursday seeking a special investigation team (SIT) inquiry into his son’s death, which he claimed was the result of a “fake encounter” at the hands of Thane Police.
Shinde, 23, was being escorted from Taloja Central Jail to the Thane Crime Branch office for interrogation in connection with allegations by his second wife, who is separated from him. He had charges of unnatural sex slapped on him under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. The vehicle reached Mumbra Bypass when Shinde allegedly seized the firearm of Assistant Police Inspector Nilesh More and opened fire, which hit the officer in the thigh, according to police accounts.
In return, Sr Inspector Sanjay Shinde fired from his service pistol and hit the accused on his head. He was immediately sent to the hospital, where he was declared dead upon admission.
“The accused was being brought from Taloja Central Jail when he opened fire on police from the revolver of police. The investigation is going on,”
Said Thane police PRO Shailesh Salvi.
Shinde’s mother and uncle filed a complaint, accusing the police and the management of the Badlapur school, which is connected to the incident, of orchestrating it.
The encounter has generated a political storm. It is another point of embarrassment for the ruling Mahayuti government from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis supported the police’s act as self-defence.
“Akshay Shinde’s ex-wife had accused him of sexual violence. A police investigation was in process. He took the firearm from a police officer and fired,” CM Shinde said.
However, opposition leaders have questioned the encounter, saying it was a big ploy to save other big operatives. Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut mentioned, “How convincing is it that a janitor snatched a gun from a policeman and fired a locked weapon? This is a basic question.”
