Expressing dismay over glorification of accused Akshay Shinde’s killing in Badlapur sexual assault case, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sep 27 asserted that people “should not glorify or praise such incidents”.
Fadnavis reacted to the social media posts and posters across Mumbai glorifying the Badlapur case.
The Maharashtra deputy chief minister also backed the Thane police over the encounter, saying it only retaliated as the accused, Shinde, attacked them.
“In this case, we had filed the charge sheet in record time. One of the three wives of the accused filed a sexual assault case against him. When police team was taking him for investigation, he attacked them,” Fadnavis was quoted as saying.
“If someone attacks the police, they will retaliate. This led to a storm on social media. It is a medium that praises you and even brings you down. So many reactions came on social media. We shouldn’t glorify or praise such incidents,” he added.
Shinde 24, who was arrested on Aug 17 for allegedly sexually abusing two four-year-old girls at a school toilet in Badlapur was killed in an alleged shoot-out with police on Sep 23.
The incident took place when Shinde was being brought from Taloja Central Jail to the Thane crime branch office under transit remand in another case. He opened fire on the police with their revolver near the Mumbra bypass.
A day after the encounter, posters featuring Devendra Fadnavis wielding a revolver and gun with the phrase 'Badla Pura' (revenge completed) appeared across Mumbai.
The encounter sparked a massive controversy between the ruling Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government and the opposition in Maharashtra expressing doubts over the police's version of the incident.
Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court on Sep 27 directed the police to identify a secluded spot for the burial of the body of the deceased accused.
A division bench of Justices — Revati Mohite Dere and M M Sathaye said once the spot is identified, the police shall inform Shinde’s family members about it so that the burial takes place.
The bench rejected the contention of the prosecution that there is no custom of burying bodies in Shinde’s community, calling it his parents’ choice.
Public Prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar appearing for the state said that two police officers have been deployed outside the house of the deceased accused to avoid any untoward situation in light of his father’s claims that the family had received threats.
The bench heard an application by the father of the Badlapur sexual assault case accused.
In his plea, the father sought direction from the chief officer of the Ambernath Municipal Council to provide land and make necessary arrangements for his son’s burial. He also sought police security for himself and his family.
“If there are any threats made to the family, the police will take appropriate steps,” the bench noted. Venegaonkar said that the police are keeping a watch and taking precautions to ensure no law and order problem is created.
The public prosecutor further submitted that instead of making an event out of it, the burial can take place silently in the presence of family members and police personnel accompanying them. The bench recorded the statement and listed further hearings on Sep 30.
