Mumbai, Maharashtra (April 7, 2025): The Bombay High Court has ordered an FIR against police officers involved in the alleged encounter of Akshay Shinde in Badlapur. According to ths media reports, the court also rejected the state’s plea to challenge the order in the Supreme Court. Shinde was accused of sexually assaulting schoolgirls in Badlapur. He was being taken for a court hearing when he was shot dead in an encounter near Mumbra. A later investigation suggested that the encounter was staged.
According to the reports, the High Court has ordered an FIR against Assistant Police Inspector Nilesh More, Police Constables Harish Tawde and Abhijit More, and Police Inspector Sanjay Shinde. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has been directed to set up a Special Investigation Team to handle the case.
Shinde’s father, Anna Shinde, had filed a petition demanding action against the officers. A magistrate’s court had earlier criticised the police action. Opposition leaders also slammed the state government, accusing it of protecting the officers.
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During a hearing on Monday, the High Court expressed displeasure over the delay in filing an FIR despite its previous orders. The state argued that the CID inquiry was still pending. It had also reportedly challenged a Thane Sessions Court ruling that provided relief to the accused officers.
Reacting to the court’s decision, lawyer Asim Sarode said action had been ordered against the police. He stated that police officers are often targeted, and it is important to investigate whether they were pressured into the encounter. Sarode also demanded an inquiry into political connections linked to the case. He pointed out that some political leaders had displayed posters of the encounter and said action should also be taken against them.
Background of the Case
The encounter was linked to a sexual assault case involving three schoolgirls in Badlapur. Shinde, the accused, was being escorted from Taloja Jail when the incident occurred. According to police, he snatched an officer’s revolver and opened fire, injuring some officers. The police responded with retaliatory firing, resulting in his death.