Badlapur case: Day after accused killed in firing, father moves HC, victims seek probe

An advocate representing the victims said they “wanted the accused to be punished, so such heinous crimes can be stopped.” They sought a probe into what they called an “extra judicial killing”.

Updated - September 25, 2024 03:14 pm IST - Thane

Police personnel at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital after Akshay Shinde, an accused in Badlapur school sexual assault case, shot dead by the police in self-defence, in Thane, on September 23, 2024.

Police personnel at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital after Akshay Shinde, an accused in Badlapur school sexual assault case, shot dead by the police in self-defence, in Thane, on September 23, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI

A day after the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case, Akshay Shinde, died in retaliatory fire by police, his father on Tuesday moved the Bombay High Court appealing to hear the matter urgently saying evidence in the case will be destroyed. The matter will be heard by Justice Revati Mohit Dere on Wednesday (September 25, 2024).

Shinde was accused of sexually assaulting two minor girls at a school in Badlapur town of Thane district. 

Advocates Asim Sarode, Shriya Awale and Ajinkya Gaikwad, representing the victims in the case, have also expressed concern about delay in justice.

“I am not at all concerned with the death of the accused, but I am unhappy, disturbed and worried that the death of the accused has actually killed the process of justice. We wanted the accused to be punished, so such heinous crimes can be stopped. We are filing an application in the Bombay High Court seeking probe with respect to the extra judicial killing of the accused Akshay Shinde as it appears to be suspicious and politically motivated,” Mr. Sarode said.

The trial through due process against the accused would have “helped society to identify the loopholes” within the educational institutions. Such extra “judicial encounters” violate the victim’s right to seek justice and hence such acts should not be “celebrated or looked upon as a way to deliver justice”, he added.

“Further investigation would have led us to trace the role of the other accused who are still absconded, as per the police reports. Their role in the present matter would have been identified. Guidelines would have been framed applicable to all the educational institutions by identifying the loopholes to provide safe and secure environment for all school going girls in Maharashtra thereby deterring others to commit similar incidences. The death of the accused has destroyed the lawful process of justice,” Mr. Sarode said. 

The accused, who worked at the school as a cleaner, was arrested on August 17, for allegedly assaulting two girls, aged four and five, inside the school’s washroom. A fast-track trial was ordered on August 20 after massive protests erupted. Subsequently, an SIT was formed to investigate the case, after allegations of delay in FIR registration and police negligence. According to the police, on Monday, Shinde snatched a police officer’s gun and opened fire on officers. One police officer was injured in the attack and the accused died of critical injuries in the retaliatory firing. 

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