The Bombay High Court on Monday expressed severe dissatisfaction with the Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department (CID) over its handling of the investigation into the killing of Akshay Shinde, an accused in the Badlapur school sexual assault case. Shinde was killed in a police shootout under circumstances that the court found questionable.
A division bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan criticized the CID for what they considered a lackadaisical approach to the investigation, emphasizing the necessity for a thorough and fair examination of the circumstances leading to Shinde’s death. The accused, a 24-year-old man, had been arrested in August for allegedly sexually assaulting two minor girls in Maharashtra’s Thane district before his death in September during a police transfer.
The High Court’s concerns arose after identifying significant gaps in the CID’s submission of documents to the magistrate tasked with conducting an inquiry into the shootout. “How can the state CID take it so lightly? This is a matter that concerns custodial death,” remarked the bench. They accused the CID of potentially withholding vital information from the magistrate, drawing a “wrong and adverse” inference about the department’s integrity.
The court also pointed out the CID’s failure to collect essential medical papers related to the case, questioning the department’s overall diligence and transparency. “Are you deliberately trying to withhold information from the magistrate? That is the inference we are drawing,” stated the High Court.
The bench underscored that their goal was to ensure all relevant documents were collected and a comprehensive report prepared by the magistrate. They ordered the CID to provide a complete set of statements and evidence to facilitate a proper judicial inquiry.
This hearing stems from an incident on September 24, when Shinde reportedly grabbed a pistol from a police officer while being transported from Taloja prison to Thane for questioning in another case. According to police reports, Shinde fired three shots inside the van, injuring one officer before he was fatally shot in retaliation. The police narrative includes Shinde’s handcuffs being removed to allow him to drink water, during which he allegedly seized the weapon.
The High Court’s intervention highlights the judiciary’s role in overseeing law enforcement practices and ensuring accountability, particularly in cases involving custodial deaths and potential misuse of power. The case has stirred public and legal debate over the authenticity of the police’s version of events, with Shinde’s father filing a petition claiming his son was murdered in a fake encounter.
