Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has spoken out against social media posts and posters that glorify the recent encounter of the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case. He emphasized that such incidents should not be praised, highlighting the importance of adhering to the law.
Fadnavis stated that he does not support fake encounters, advocating for legal punishment instead. He defended the Thane Police’s actions, explaining that the encounter occurred after the accused, Akshay Shinde, allegedly attacked officers while being transported for questioning.
“After filing the charge sheet promptly, one of Shinde’s three wives filed a sexual assault case against him. During transit, he opened fire on the police. If someone attacks the police, they will respond,” Fadnavis explained. He acknowledged the ensuing social media backlash but reiterated that glorifying such incidents is inappropriate.
Akshay Shinde, accused of sexually assaulting two four-year-old girls in a school toilet, was killed in an alleged shootout with police earlier this week. The incident occurred while he was being transferred from Taloja Central Jail to the Thane Crime Branch when he reportedly opened fire.
Following the encounter, posters appeared across Mumbai depicting Fadnavis holding a revolver, accompanied by the phrase “Badla Pura” (revenge completed), sparking significant controversy between the ruling Mahayuti government and the opposition, which has raised doubts about the police’s narrative.
In a related development, the Bombay High Court expressed concerns about the circumstances surrounding Shinde’s custodial death, suggesting that the shootout could have been avoided. Justice Prithviraj Chavan questioned why the police did not aim to subdue him without lethal force, stating, “This cannot be termed as an encounter.”
Responding to the court’s comments, Fadnavis stated that the judiciary is fulfilling its role and that observations made by the court should not be misconstrued as definitive judgments.
