Badlapur Encounter: The recent encounter of the accused Akshay Shinde in the Badlapur rape case has sparked controversy. As opposition parties raised concerns over the legitimacy of the encounter, the Maharashtra Police's Crime Investigation Department (CID) has been tasked with investigating the incident. A formal letter has also been submitted to the Human Rights Commission and the Director General of Police (DGP) for further investigation. This incident has led to many questioning the police's claims regarding the circumstances of the encounter.
Thane Police Hands Over Investigation to CID
The Thane Police has officially requested the CID to take over the investigation. According to Thane Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbere, this decision follows standard protocol after such controversies arise. The encounter resulted in the death of the accused, who was in police custody at the time. This development has led to growing skepticism about the police's version of events, as the accused died while in their care.
Questions Surrounding the Police’s Narrative
A senior police officer highlighted that one of the key focuses of the CID's investigation will be understanding how the accused, who was handcuffed, managed to grab a police officer’s weapon. Akshay Shinde, who was the primary suspect in the rape case, allegedly snatched the police pistol and fired, leading to his own death in the encounter. However, doubts are being raised about how he could have unlocked the gun and managed to shoot it despite being restrained. These inconsistencies are a major point of contention, and the investigation aims to clarify what actually transpired.
Special Investigation Team Under Scrutiny
The CID will also record statements from the four members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) from the Thane Central Crime Branch. This team was responsible for transferring the accused from Taloja Central Jail to the Thane Police Headquarters for further questioning related to the rape case. The encounter occurred during this transfer. The four officers involved include Senior Inspector Sanjay Shinde, Assistant Police Inspector Nilesh More, Head Constable Abhijeet More, and Harish Tawde. Each officer's account of the event will be critical in determining the sequence of actions leading up to the accused's death.
Injured Policeman Hospitalized
Assistant Police Inspector Nilesh More, one of the officers present during the encounter, sustained a serious gunshot wound to his left leg and is currently receiving treatment at Jupiter Hospital. The police claim that the accused fired the shot that injured More. His condition remains critical, and the outcome of his recovery may play a role in further clarifying the events of the encounter. The police remain adamant that the watchman’s actions led to the shooting, but further investigation will aim to uncover whether this version of events holds up under scrutiny.
FIR Filed Post-Encounter
Following the incident, the Mumbra Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including attempted murder, obstructing a public servant from performing their duties, and causing grievous harm. The filing of the FIR after the accused’s death has raised questions, as it suggests that further charges were considered necessary posthumously. Additionally, the accused’s body has been sent for a post-mortem, which is being conducted by a team of three doctors at Sir J.J. Hospital in Mumbai. Police sources have confirmed that the entire procedure will be video recorded to maintain transparency.
CID's Next Steps
The CID’s investigation is expected to be thorough, as questions continue to surface regarding the police's handling of the accused and the encounter. The report, once completed, will be submitted to the authorities, potentially leading to further actions depending on its findings. With the Human Rights Commission and the DGP also monitoring the situation, the investigation has garnered considerable attention. The police’s explanation of the events leading to the encounter is now under close examination, and the outcome of the CID’s findings will likely play a significant role in shaping public opinion on this contentious case.
Father of Akshay Shinde moves Bombay High Court
The father of Akshay Shinde, accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case, has moved the Bombay High Court seeking probe by a special investigation team into the death.
Anna Shinde, in his petition filed through advocate Amit Katarnaware, alleged that his son was killed in a "fake encounter". An SIT should be formed to probe the killing and the high court should monitor the investigation, the petition demanded.
"The accused was in custody when he was shot dead in a fake encounter. This is a cold-blooded murder by criminals in uniforms," advocate Katarnaware said. The petition will be heard by a division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday.
No comments:
Post a Comment