The Bombay High Court has expressed serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding the custodial death of 24-year-old Akshay Shinde, who was killed while being transported by police from Taloja Jail to Badlapur. The court raised the possibility of foul play in the case, questioning the police’s version of events, and directed them to preserve the CCTV footage from the time Shinde was moved from jail to the point he was declared dead at Shivaji Hospital.
During the hearing on Wednesday, the two-judge bench asked the Maharashtra government to gather Call Data Records (CDRs) of everyone involved, including the driver of the police vehicle. The court’s concerns were fueled by the state’s narrative that Shinde had snatched a pistol from Assistant Police Inspector Nilesh More and opened fire, injuring three officers before being killed in retaliatory firing.
The police explained that Shinde, who was accused of sexual assault, was being transferred from Taloja Jail when he allegedly seized the firearm and fired three shots at the officers. However, the court expressed skepticism, stating, “This is hard to believe. Prima facie, there appears to be foul play. A layman can’t fire a pistol, unlike a revolver which any tom, dick, and harry can do.”
The judges also questioned the physical capacity of Shinde, asking how he could load and fire a pistol given that it requires strength. “A weak man cannot load a pistol,” they added. The court further grilled the police about the specifics of the shooting, questioning why only one bullet hit a police officer and where the other two bullets ended up.
One of the most contentious points raised by the court was why the police officer, Sanjay Shinde, violated standard operating procedure (SOP). Instead of shooting the accused in the legs or hands to incapacitate him, the officer aimed at his head, leading to Shinde’s death. Responding to this, the Chief Public Prosecutor said, “The officer did not think this through; he just reacted. It was an on-the-spot reaction.”
The court’s investigation was triggered by a petition from Shinde’s father, Anna Shinde, who suspects a broader conspiracy behind his son’s death, potentially tied to the upcoming Assembly elections. He demanded an impartial investigation into the custodial killing, alleging that his son’s death was politically motivated.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Thursday, as the court continues to scrutinize the police’s handling of the incident and the allegations of foul play.
