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The death of Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case, has sparked outrage and controversy in Maharashtra. Shinde, 24, was shot dead by police on September 23rd while being transported from Taloja Jail to Badlapur. The police claimed that Shinde snatched a pistol from an officer and fired, injuring the officer, before being shot by the escort team. However, the encounter killing has been met with skepticism and accusations of extrajudicial execution.
Shinde was facing charges of sexually assaulting two minor girls in a Badlapur school. His death has sparked protests from local residents and political groups, who have condemned the police action and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident. The protests, which began shortly after Shinde's death, continued until his burial on Sunday at the Shantinagar crematorium in Ulhasnagar. The burial took place under heavy police security amidst the ongoing protests.
The controversy surrounding Shinde's death has further intensified due to the alleged political motivations surrounding it. BJP MLA Kisan Kathore had openly opposed Shinde's burial in Badlapur, claiming that it would bring “stigma” to the town. This stance has been criticized as insensitive and fueling further divisions within the community.
Shinde's father, Anna Shinde, has added fuel to the fire by alleging that his son's killing was part of a political conspiracy. He has requested police protection for himself and his family, citing threats to their safety. Anna Shinde has also claimed that his family and lawyer have been receiving threats. The incident has raised serious questions about the state of law and order in Maharashtra and the potential for political influence in criminal cases.
Source: Badlapur case accused Akshay Shinde buried amid protests in Maharashtra's Ulhasnagar