The Bombay High Court on Wednesday raised serious concerns over the police encounter of Akshay Shinde, the Badlapur sexual assault accused, stating that there appear to be issues with the case. 

Justice Chavan expressed skepticism, remarking, "It is difficult to believe this. Prima facie, there seem to be issues. A common man can't easily fire a pistol because it requires strength. A revolver can't be unlocked quickly by someone physically weak. It is not that easy."

Akshay Shinde's father, Anna Shinde, has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged fake encounter of his son. Represented by advocate Amit Katranware, the petition claims that Akshay Shinde was killed in a staged encounter.

The court has ordered that all case documents be immediately handed over to the state CID, which will investigate Shinde’s death. 

"Why have the files not been handed over to the CID yet?" the court questioned. 

While it did not directly raise suspicion at this stage, the court expressed difficulty in believing that Shinde could have snatched a pistol from a police officer and fired it. The next hearing is scheduled for October 3.

Shinde, 23, was arrested on August 17, five days after allegedly sexually assaulting two girls in a school toilet. 

The former school janitor was being transported from Taloja Central Jail to the Thane Crime Branch office under a transit remand when he reportedly seized a revolver from a police officer near the Mumbra bypass and fired on the police in an escape attempt. 

Shinde was taken to a hospital, where he later died. His body was transferred to JJ Hospital for a post-mortem.

Shinde's death has sparked a political controversy in Maharashtra, with tensions rising between the ruling Mahayuti government and the opposition as the state heads toward Assembly elections later this year.

ANI