In a powerful statement following the encounter of Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case, Amit Raj Thackeray has called for thorough accountability and justice for the victims. “Upon hearing the news of the encounter, my first thought was that justice has finally been served for the victimized girls,” Thackeray stated.
Shinde, who was accused of sexually assaulting two minors while working as a sweeper at a local school, was killed during police custody on September 23 while being transferred from Taloja jail to Badlapur for further investigation. The police claim that Shinde attempted to attack officers during the transfer, prompting them to fire in self-defense. However, Thackeray and other opposition leaders have raised concerns regarding the circumstances surrounding Shinde’s death, calling it an “encounter” and demanding a thorough investigation.
“While various political parties will attempt to capitalize on this incident, we must focus on the fact that no one can defend a person who commits such heinous crimes against children,” Thackeray emphasized. He expressed his disdain for the recent rise in violence against women and children in Maharashtra, stating that such incidents were previously rare. “Maharashtra has a history of being safe for women and girls, but we are witnessing a disturbing trend that needs immediate attention from the government,” he added.
Thackeray also criticized the government for its failure to take decisive action against the school’s operators, who remain at large. “The Home Minister and the state government must provide answers to the public as to why these individuals have not been arrested or prosecuted,” he demanded.
Furthermore, he pointed out the delay in the approval of the ‘Shakti Law,’ which aims to strengthen legal protections for women and children. “Why haven’t other political parties in the assembly pressed the government for accountability regarding this crucial legislation?” he asked. “It seems the focus is more on political maneuvering than on protecting our women.”
Additionally, Thackeray raised alarms over the alleged disappearance of 15 days’ worth of CCTV footage from the school, questioning the integrity of the institution and its management. “How can we trust that there won’t be more incidents like this in the future if we don’t hold the school accountable?” he remarked.
In conclusion, Thackeray insisted that while Akshay Shinde has faced consequences for his actions, it is imperative that the school’s administration and all those involved in enabling such crimes also face strict penalties. “The state government must take robust action to ensure that true justice is served for the victimized girls. Only then can we genuinely say that justice has been achieved,” he stated.
As the investigation continues, the public and political leaders alike await answers and meaningful action from the authorities in the wake of this troubling incident.
