Mumbai. In a significant update in the Badlapur sexual abuse case, the Maharashtra police have arrested Uday Kotwal, the president of a local school, and Tushar Apte, the school secretary. Their arrests come after the Bombay High Court rejected their anticipatory bail plea on October 1. The Thane Crime Branch, which detained both individuals, plans to hand them over to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case. The case, which involves the sexual assault of two kindergarten girls aged 3 and 4, took place on August 12 and 13, 2024, in the washroom of a school in Badlapur, Thane district. The main accused, Akshay Shinde, a school sweeper, was arrested on August 17 but was later killed in a police encounter on September 23. His death has led to controversy, with the Bombay High Court now looking into the circumstances surrounding the encounter.
High Court Has Questioned the Encounter
During a hearing on September 25, the Bombay High Court raised critical questions about the police’s actions. The court expressed doubts over how four officers could not control a single accused, particularly when he was handcuffed. The judges noted that in a typical self-defense situation, a shot should be aimed at the leg rather than the head. The court also questioned the role of the officer who fired the fatal shot, highlighting that an Assistant Police Inspector (API) should be trained to react appropriately in such situations.
Accused was a monster- The Chief Minister
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde defended the police, stating that the officers acted in self-defense and that if they had allowed Shinde to escape, the opposition would have questioned the police’s capabilities. He pointed out that the officer involved in the encounter was also injured during the altercation. Shinde emphasized the gravity of the crime, reminding the public that the victims were as young as the accused’s own daughters. Akshay Shinde’s criminal history only deepens the case’s complexity. Shinde had four wives, one of whom had fled and filed a case against him, accusing him of unnatural sex. She described him as a “demon,” painting a grim picture of his behavior. The revelation of these details has further enraged the public and highlighted the serious nature of the crime.
SIT and Judicial Inquiry
In light of the controversial police encounter, the Maharashtra government has established a commission to investigate Shinde’s death. The commission, headed by retired Chief Justice Dilip Bhosale of the Allahabad High Court, will probe the circumstances of the encounter. The SIT, formed earlier to handle the overall sexual abuse case, will also assist in the investigation.
Timeline of Events
Shinde was hired as a sweeper on a contractual basis at the school on August 1, 2024. Just 12 days later, he allegedly assaulted two young girls in the school’s washroom. The incident came to light when one of the girls confided in her parents, who then spoke to the parents of the second victim. Medical examinations confirmed the abuse. Despite the gravity of the situation, the police initially hesitated to register an FIR, only doing so after social workers intervened. Shinde was arrested two days later, on August 17.
Public Outcry and Protests
The incident sparked massive protests in Badlapur on August 20, with crowds gathering at the local railway station, halting train services for more than 10 hours. Demonstrators later stormed the school and vandalized its premises. The protests eventually led to the state government suspending three police officers, including a woman inspector, for their delay in handling the case. Some school staff, including the principal, were also suspended.
The Encounter Officer’s Controversial Past
The police officer who shot Akshay Shinde, Inspector Sanjay Shinde, has a history of involvement in high-profile cases. He was previously part of a team led by encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma, which arrested Dawood Ibrahim’s brother, Iqbal Kaskar, in 2017. However, Sanjay Shinde himself was embroiled in controversy when an inquiry was conducted against him in 2012 after a murder suspect escaped police custody while wearing his uniform. As the legal process continues, the court’s investigation into Shinde’s encounter and the broader sexual abuse case are expected to dominate headlines for some time, with the public demanding accountability at every level.
