Thane Magistrate holds five police officers accountable for custodial death in Badlapur case

An inquiry by a Thane magistrate into the death of Akshay Shinde, accused in the Badlapur school sexual assault case, has found five police officers responsible for his custodial death. The findings were submitted to the Bombay High Court in a sealed report, prompting the court to direct the state to file an FIR against the involved officers.

Akshay Shinde, 24, was arrested in August for allegedly sexually assaulting two young girls at a Badlapur school. On September 24, he was killed during a police shootout while being transported to a remand hearing. Police claimed Shinde snatched an officer's gun, opened fire, and injured one officer, leading to his fatal shooting in retaliation. They described the incident as an act of self-defense.

Shinde’s family, however, disputes the police account, alleging the encounter was staged. They argue that Shinde, who was reportedly unarmed during their jail visit earlier that day, could not have attacked the officers. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis have defended the police, asserting the officers acted in self-defense.

The case has sparked public outrage, with protesters vandalizing school property and blocking railway tracks in response to the assault. Additionally, the school’s chairman and secretary face charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for failing to report the assault in a timely manner.

In response to the controversy, the Maharashtra government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.