​The Bombay High Court has strongly criticized the Maharashtra State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for failing to comply with its earlier order to transfer the investigation into the alleged encounter death of Akshay Shinde, an accused in the Badlapur school sexual assault case, to a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The court termed the CID’s actions a “deliberate” and “brazen” violation of its April 7 directive. Despite this, on Friday, the CID handed over the case papers to the SIT formed by the Mumbai Crime Branch. Joint Commissioner of Police Lakhmi Gautam, who heads the SIT, informed the court that the CID had initially refused to share the documents, prompting the court’s stern remarks.

The incident in question occurred on September 23, 2024, when Shinde was being transported from Taloja jail to Thane for questioning. According to police, Shinde allegedly grabbed a police officer’s pistol and fired three shots inside the van, injuring the officer. In retaliation, another officer fired a shot that killed Shinde. The CID had been tasked with investigating the encounter, but the High Court found deficiencies in the probe, including the failure to collect and submit crucial evidence such as medical documents and forensic reports. The court also noted the absence of gunshot residue on Shinde’s hands and fingerprints on the water bottle provided to him, raising suspicions about the encounter’s authenticity.

Following the High Court’s intervention, the CID has now complied with the order, and the SIT is expected to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.

Sources