Wed Sep 25 07:55:13 UTC 2024: ## Bombay High Court Questions Badlapur Encounter, Suspicions Rise Over Accused’s Death
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday expressed serious doubts about the police’s narrative surrounding the encounter killing of Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur school sexual abuse case. The court, while hearing a petition filed by Shinde’s father, questioned why the accused wasn’t handcuffed during transport, why the police didn’t try to overpower him first, and whether the claims of him firing at the cops were believable.
“Prima facie there is a foul play,” stated the court, raising further concerns about the incident. The court also reviewed medical documents related to the injuries sustained by the injured officer, Nilesh More.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh calling the entire matter “suspicious.” Deshmukh also questioned the police’s claim that Shinde snatched a revolver, stating that it was impossible due to the safety mechanisms in place. He further pointed to the school owner, a senior BJP leader, as a potential beneficiary of the encounter and urged a thorough investigation.
Legal experts have called for a magisterial inquiry into the custodial death, as mandated by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The post-mortem examination, while revealing no foreign bodies, collected samples for forensic testing.
The Badlapur police have decided to conduct the last rites of the deceased under police protection due to public anger against him.
The encounter has also brought to light concerns about school safety, leading the state government to issue an updated checklist for schools, mandating the installation of CCTVs, complaint boxes, and the presence of female helpers in washrooms and on school buses.
The Bombay High Court’s strong questioning of the encounter narrative and the numerous suspicions surrounding the incident highlight the need for a thorough, transparent investigation to ensure justice is served and accountability is established.
First Piper 