The Bombay High Court on Monday expressed strong dissatisfaction with the state Crime Investigation Department over its handling of the investigation into the death of Akshay Shinde, a man accused of sexually assaulting two minor girls in Badlapur, Maharashtra.
Shinde was killed in a shootout on September 24 while being transported by police.
A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan criticized the CID for taking the investigation “lightly,” raising concerns about the fairness of the inquiry.
The court noted that the conduct of the CID in the case seemed to suggest it was withholding crucial information from the magistrate conducting the inquiry.
It expressed frustration that the CID had not collected medical records related to the incident and questioned the department’s competence.
The court remarked sarcastically, “Cases are transferred from local police to the CID because of their competence.” It further questioned why necessary documents were not being submitted properly and implied that the CID’s handling of the case raised doubts about the integrity of the investigation.
The CID was told to submit all relevant documents to the magistrate within a week to ensure a thorough and transparent inquiry. The bench stressed that fairness must prevail in all investigations, emphasizing that even accused individuals and their families have rights.
The court also highlighted the importance of proper documentation and the need for a complete report to enable a fair inquiry.
The CID has been given until January 20, 2025, to submit its findings, by which time the magistrate is expected to provide a report to the court.
The case stems from an incident where Shinde, who was in police custody, allegedly seized a pistol from one of the officers while being transported to Thane for questioning. He fired shots inside the van, injuring a police officer.
Police responded by shooting Shinde, resulting in his death. His family, however, has filed a petition claiming that his death was a result of a fake encounter.
