The political controversy surrounding the police encounter of Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case, is intensifying as opposition parties criticize the incident, alleging foul play. In response, Shiv Sena leaders have firmly stood by the Maharashtra police, accusing the opposition of shifting its stance on the issue.
Shiv Sena MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde hit out at opposition leaders for questioning the police’s actions after they had previously demanded severe punishment for Shinde, who was accused of sexually assaulting two minors. “The same opposition that demanded strict punishment is now mourning the death of the accused,” Shinde remarked during a media interaction on Tuesday. He further added sarcastically, “They are so distressed by the death of the accused that they may even hold a prayer meeting to offer their condolences.”
Detailing the encounter, Shinde explained that the police fired in self-defense after the accused opened fire during his transit. “The incident occurred when the accused tried to escape, and the police acted in self-defense. Now, the opposition is saddened by the encounter despite justice being served,” he said.
Earlier in the day, senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam echoed Shinde’s sentiments, defending the police’s actions. Nirupam stated, “Before the encounter, the accused tried to snatch the policeman’s revolver. What if something had happened to the officer? The opposition needs to recognize that the victim’s families have finally received justice. No politics should be played over this.”
Nirupam also reminded the opposition that they had previously called for the public hanging of the accused due to the heinous nature of the crime. “Justice has been delivered, and instead of questioning it, the opposition should focus on supporting the families of the victims,” he added.
Akshay Shinde, 23, who was accused of sexually abusing two minor girls in Badlapur, was killed in a police encounter on Monday evening. According to police reports, Shinde attempted to escape during his transfer by grabbing a weapon, which led to the retaliatory firing. However, opposition leaders have raised concerns about the legitimacy of the encounter, labeling it a “fake” incident and demanding an investigation into the police’s conduct.
