A magistrate’s inquiry has found five policemen responsible for the custodial death of Akshay Shinde, who was accused in the Badlapur school sexual assault case. The inquiry report was submitted to the Bombay High Court on Monday.
Akshay Shinde, 24, was arrested in August 2024 for allegedly sexually assaulting two minor girls in a school toilet in Badlapur, where he worked as an attendant. In September, Shinde was reportedly killed in a police shootout while being transported from Taloja prison for questioning.
Police Claims and Inquiry Findings
The police claimed that Shinde had snatched a firearm from one of the officers in the van and opened fire, leading to his death in retaliatory firing. However, as per legal provisions, a magistrate inquiry was conducted into the incident, which occurs in cases of custodial deaths.
A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale reviewed the inquiry report. The bench noted that the magistrate concluded that the five police personnel present in the van were responsible for Shinde’s death. The court emphasized that, as per the law, an FIR must now be registered against the officers involved, and a thorough investigation must follow.
The Bombay High Court has directed public prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar to update the bench within two weeks regarding which investigative agency will handle the case. The registration of an FIR marks the beginning of the legal process against the accused policemen.
Legal Implications and Future Proceedings
The findings of the inquiry raise serious questions about the actions of the police during Shinde’s custody. The case is likely to have broader implications on police accountability and custodial safety measures.
The custodial death of Akshay Shinde has sparked legal and public scrutiny, with the magistrate’s report now leading to potential criminal proceedings against the responsible officers. The Bombay High Court continues to monitor the progress of the case, ensuring justice is served.
(With PTI inputs)