Thu Dec 19 21:51:00 UTC 2024: ## Bombay High Court Orders Rehabilitation for Parents of Slain Badlapur Accused
**Mumbai, December 20, 2024** – The Bombay High Court on Thursday intervened in the plight of the parents of Akshay Shinde, the prime accused in a Badlapur child sexual harassment case who was killed in a police encounter in September. The court heard the parents’ desperate plea for help after they were ostracized by their community and left homeless, forcing them to beg for survival.
The elderly couple revealed they were driven from their home in Badlapur following their son’s arrest and have since been living on the streets, unable to secure employment due to the stigma attached to their son’s actions. The court, demonstrating compassion, emphasized that the parents are not responsible for their son’s crimes and should not suffer for them.
The judges, Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj Chavan, directed the public prosecutor to explore options for rehabilitation, including assistance from the state government or NGOs, to provide the couple with housing and employment. The court also addressed the parents’ concerns about police protection, acknowledging that constant police presence could hinder their ability to earn a living. The court instructed the police to assess the threat level to the couple and determine the appropriate level of protection within a week.
The matter has been adjourned until January 13, 2025, as authorities work to find a solution for the displaced and destitute parents. The case highlights the collateral damage faced by families of accused individuals, even when they bear no responsibility for the alleged crime.
First Piper 