Maharashtra: Cops shoot dead Badlapur sexual assault case accused in ‘self-defence’

When the vehicle reached Mumbra bypass, the accused, Shinde, allegedly snatched pistol of one of officers and fired two to three rounds

Mumbai: Akshay Shinde, accused of sexually assaulting two minor girls at a school in Badlapur town of Maharashtra, died in retaliatory firing by police after he snatched a cop’s pistol and opened fire on Monday, an official said. The incident occurred at 6:15 pm when Shinde, 24, was taken to Badlapur in Thane district from Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai in a police vehicle.

When the vehicle reached Mumbra bypass, Shinde allegedly snatched the pistol of one of the officers and fired two to three rounds, injuring an Assistant Police Inspector (API). In response, another police officer opened fire on Shinde, injuring him critically.

Shinde was rushed to a hospital in Kalwa where he succumbed to his injuries, the official said, adding that API Nilesh More, injured in the firing by Shinde, is undergoing treatment at the hospital. According to a police officer, four policemen and Shinde were travelling in the vehicle.

The shootout occurred over a month after massive protests erupted on streets and at Badlapur railway station over the alleged sexual abuse of two girls by Shinde, who worked as a sweeper in the school.

As the news of Shinde’s death spread, some people burst crackers in Badlapur town on Monday night. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and State Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis said police opened fire in self-defence, leading to Akshay Shinde’s death.

“Akshay Shinde’s former wife has accused him of sexual assault and lodged a complaint against him. Police were taking Shinde (to Badlapur) to investigate this complaint. He snatched the gun of a policeman and opened fire at officials. He also fired in the air. Police shot at him in retaliation,” Fadnavis said.

Shinde, a contractual sweeper at the school in Badlapur, was arrested on August 17, five days after he allegedly sexually abused the two girls in the school toilet. On September 3, the Bombay High Court told the police to build a “watertight” case and not file a charge sheet hurriedly under public pressure.

Meanwhile, Opposition leaders expressed shock over the “encounter” and called for a detailed probe into the incident. CM Shinde said Akshay’s ex-wife had accused him of sexual violence and the police were taking him for a probe regarding these allegations.

“He snatched the gun of a policeman and opened fire. Police fired back in self-defence,” he told reporters. However, the opposition leaders asked if Akshay Shinde was killed to destroy evidence in a case that had triggered national outrage.