The Supreme Court of India has today (May 5, 2025) modified the Bombay High Court’s earlier order regarding the investigation into the custodial death of Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case. The High Court had directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Lakshmi Gautam. However, the Supreme Court has now mandated that the SIT be constituted under the aegis of the Director General of Police (DGP), Maharashtra .

The case revolves around the death of Akshay Shinde on September 23, 2024, during a police escort from Taloja prison to Kalyan. The police claimed it was a retaliatory shooting during an encounter. However, a magistrate’s inquiry report indicated that Shinde had succumbed to bullet injuries inflicted by the police, leading the Bombay High Court to order an FIR against five police officers and the formation of an SIT to investigate the matter .

The Supreme Court’s intervention today modifies the High Court’s directive, placing the responsibility for the SIT under the DGP’s office, which may be seen as an effort to ensure a more impartial and thorough investigation .

Sources