Mon Sep 23 22:12:52 UTC 2024: ## Accused in Badlapur Child Sex Assault Case Killed in Encounter

**Mumbai:** Akshay Shinde, the prime suspect in the alleged sexual assault of two four-year-old girls at a Badlapur school last month, was killed in an encounter with the Thane police crime branch on Monday evening.

According to police, Shinde, who was being escorted from Taloja Central Jail for questioning related to a separate case filed by his estranged wife, allegedly snatched a police officer’s gun and fired three rounds at him. In retaliation, senior inspector Sanjay Shinde fired a single shot, fatally wounding the accused.

The incident occurred on the Mumbra Bypass while Shinde was being transported in a police vehicle. Assistant Police Inspector Nilesh More was shot in the thigh during the encounter.

However, Shinde’s mother, Alka Shinde, has refuted the police account, claiming that her son was a victim of a planned execution. She alleges that her son was beaten by police during previous visits and feared Diwali crackers, making it unbelievable that he would attempt an armed escape.

The incident has sparked further outrage in the community. Shinde’s arrest in August, alongside allegations of negligence by the school and delayed police action, had already led to widespread protests.

The Maharashtra government had appointed a Special Investigative Team (SIT) to expedite the investigation, which has since filed two charge sheets detailing the alleged sexual assaults and the alleged failures of the school authorities and police in handling the case. The SIT has accused the school of negligence and has named the principal and the trust officials as co-accused in the FIR.

The encounter has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the alleged shootout and has further fueled public anger. The death of Shinde, who was awaiting trial, means that the legal process to determine his guilt or innocence has been abruptly ended. The case has become a high-profile example of the complexities of justice in India, where encounters are often criticized as extrajudicial killings.

Read More