'Badla-Pura' posters with gun-wielding Fadnavis emerge after Badlapur accused's death
Two days after the accused in the Badlapur school sexual assault case was shot dead by police, posters featuring Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have surfaced across Mumbai. The banners, which do not bear any organization's name, depict Fadnavis holding guns with the words "Badla Pura" (revenge complete). According to reports, the posters were seen in prominent locations such as Kherwadi, Andheri, Lalbaug, and Sion Circles.
Political messaging intensifies ahead of Maharashtra state polls
The Badlapur case and subsequent custodial death of the accused, Akshay Shinde, have become focal points in the lead-up to crucial state elections in Maharashtra. Opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, have questioned the plausibility of Shinde snatching and firing a locked weapon from a policeman. He suggested that the school was linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Supriya Sule also raised concerns about how a handcuffed individual could snatch a pistol in a moving vehicle.
Ruling coalition defends police action, criticizes opposition
In response to the skepticism, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Home Minister Fadnavis have emphasized that police fired in self-defense. The ruling Sena accused the opposition of undermining police bravery, with spokesperson and MP Naresh Mhaske stating it is unfortunate to question their courage when they acted in self-defense. Earlier, posters comparing policing under previous Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government with current administration led by Fadnavis also appeared across Mumbai, seemingly arranged by the BJP.
Accused's family alleges conspiracy, seeks justice
Shinde was accused of sexually assaulting two minor girls at a school in Badlapur where he worked as a sweeper. He was killed while being transported from Taloja Jail to Badlapur after allegedly snatching a policeman's gun and opening fire. His father, Anna Shinde, has petitioned the Bombay High Court claiming that his son's death was a "fake encounter" orchestrated by police and school management.
