The Bombay High Court on Thursday mandated a swift investigation into the custodial death of Akshay Shinde, who was accused in a case involving the sexual assault of minors in Badlapur. A division bench consisting of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan instructed that an inquiry report be submitted by November 18, highlighting the urgency of addressing the grave concerns surrounding Shinde’s death under police custody.
Shinde, aged 24, was implicated in allegations of sexually assaulting two minor girls at a school in Badlapur, Thane District. His death occurred under controversial circumstances during a police transport from Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai to Badlapur on September 23. The court was informed that Shinde allegedly snatched a policeman’s gun while being transferred in a police vehicle and was subsequently killed in a shootout near Mumbra Bypass.
The incident has raised significant questions about the handling of suspects in police custody, prompting the High Court to order thorough evidence collection, preservation, and forensic examination. “The police must ensure strong forensic evidence is included in the probe,” Justice Dere emphasized during the session.
Advocate General Birendra Saraf confirmed that all relevant documents and evidence had been forwarded to the magistrate responsible for the inquiry. The High Court underscored the necessity for meticulous forensic analysis, noting that details like gun residue patterns and bullet trajectories could provide conclusive evidence about the circumstances of the shooting.
Further complicating the case are questions about other physical evidence, including the whereabouts of a bullet that reportedly pierced the roof of the police vehicle and potential residues on a water bottle provided to Shinde just before the altercation.
The court also expressed concerns over procedural lapses in evidence collection at the scene, pointing out the failure to secure the water bottle given to Shinde — a critical piece of evidence given the claims that he was unhandcuffed to drink water before he allegedly grabbed the firearm.
Moreover, the High Court sought detailed medical examination reports of the police officer who was injured during the incident, emphasizing the need to analyze any residues or injuries for a better understanding of the event’s dynamics.
