Wed Sep 25 09:55:09 UTC 2024: ## Political Divide Widens Over Badlapur School Assault Case Following Accused’s Killing in Police Encounter
**Mumbai, India** – The killing of Akshay Shinde, accused of sexually assaulting two minors at a Badlapur school, in a police encounter on Monday has further divided political opinion in Maharashtra. While the ruling Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated the incident as “divine justice,” opposition parties are demanding a judicial probe and criticizing the police’s version of events.
On Tuesday, the ruling party leaders, including Shiv Sena MLA Naresh Mhaske, defended the police action, claiming Shinde fired at them first. Mhaske also questioned the opposition’s stance, pointing out that they had previously demanded Shinde be hanged. The BJP’s Mumbai chief, Ashish Shelar, echoed this sentiment, accusing the opposition of “shamelessness” for their criticism.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Aaditya Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT) accused the government of protecting the trustees of the Badlapur school, alleged to have links to the BJP. Thackeray questioned why the trustees were not being investigated and demanded the withdrawal of cases filed against citizens who protested the school assault and police apathy. He specifically targeted Shiv Sena functionary Waman Mhatre, who previously questioned a journalist reporting on the assault incident.
The contrasting reactions reflect the deep political divide surrounding the incident. While the ruling party sees the encounter as a victory for justice, the opposition perceives it as a cover-up and an attempt to protect influential figures linked to the BJP.
The controversy surrounding the encounter has further intensified calls for transparency and accountability from the authorities. The demand for a judicial probe into the incident, which is likely to gain momentum, could have significant ramifications for the political landscape in Maharashtra.
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