25 september 2024 : Inspector Sanjay Shinde, who shot Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case, reported that Akshay had threatened to kill everyone after he managed to grab a pistol inside a police van. The Mumbra police in Thane have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Akshay for attempted murder after he allegedly fired at the officer.
The FIR stems from a complaint made by Sanjay Shinde, who is part of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) looking into the sexual assault of two kindergarten girls in Badlapur, where Akshay Shinde (24) is the main suspect.
According to Inspector Shinde, he acted in self-defense, fearing for the safety of everyone involved due to Akshay’s aggressive behavior. Sanjay Shinde was also investigating another case involving Akshay, where his first wife accused him of sexual harassment and unnatural acts.
On the day of the incident, police had taken Akshay out of Taloja jail for questioning regarding his wife’s complaint. While en route, Inspector Shinde was initially seated in the driver’s cabin, but moved to the back of the van where Akshay was being transported alongside two constables and Assistant Police Inspector Nilesh More.
As they approached the Shil-Daighar police station, API More informed Inspector Shinde that Akshay was questioning the reasons for his transfer and started to verbally abuse the officers. This prompted Inspector Shinde to join his colleagues in the back of the van.
At around 6:15 PM, near the Mumbra Devi temple, Akshay suddenly attempted to grab API More’s firearm. In the struggle, the weapon discharged accidentally, injuring API More. Akshay then seized the gun and threatened Inspector Shinde and the constable, stating, “Now I will not leave anyone alive.” Although he fired two rounds, both officers managed to evade them.
Believing Akshay posed a lethal threat, Inspector Shinde fired a single shot in self-defense, hitting Akshay, who then fell to the ground. The officers subdued him and rushed him to Kalwa civil hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In response, Akshay Shinde’s family has approached the Bombay High Court, disputing the police account and alleging that his death was a result of a staged encounter. They are demanding an independent investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Critics, including opposition members and Akshay’s relatives, have raised concerns about the police’s narrative, accusing the government of attempting to protect the management of the school where the alleged assaults occurred, asserting that Akshay could not have taken the officer’s weapon as claimed.