Wed Apr 30 20:03:06 UTC 2025: **Bombay High Court Orders Thane Police to File FIR in Custodial Death Case**
MUMBAI, May 1, 2025 – The Bombay High Court on Wednesday sharply reprimanded the Thane Police for delaying the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) in the custodial death of Akshay Shinde, an accused in a Badlapur sexual assault case. The court ordered the police to register the FIR by May 3rd, threatening contempt proceedings if they failed to comply.
The Thane Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) had justified its inaction by claiming it was awaiting a formal complaint from Shinde’s parents. The High Court rejected this reasoning, stating that the police have an independent duty to act in cases of unnatural death, particularly when a cognisable offence is apparent. The court deemed the police’s delay a “sheer misuse of the court’s time” and a “complete defiance of our order.”
Following the court’s strong rebuke, the police assured the court that an FIR would be registered by the deadline. Police Inspector Mangesh Desai will be listed as the complainant, and his statement will be recorded before the FIR is filed. The CID had already handed over relevant documents to the SIT on April 25th. The court emphasized the need to maintain public faith in the justice system and ensure accountability in cases of custodial deaths.
First Piper 