'Competition between Shinde, Fadnavis for Badlapur encounter credit': Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday accused Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis of competing for credit over the controversial encounter of Akshay Shinde. Akshay, a janitor accused of sexually assaulting two girls in a school in Badlapur, was shot dead after he allegedly snatched a policeman's gun and fired at the team. "A rapist should be given strict punishment...But it is wrong if the encounter is done for political gains," Raut told reporters.
Raut questions political motives behind encounter
Raut expressed his concern over what he perceives as a competition between Shinde and Fadnavis for credit over the encounter. "I am seeing for the first time in the country that there are two leaders in a government...and there is a competition between them to take credit for the encounter," he said. He further stated, "This competition clearly shows how politics is going on in the state."
Opposition and family question police's encounter narrative
The opposition and Akshay's family have also expressed doubts over the police's version of the encounter. They questioned how a handcuffed person could snatch a policeman's gun and fire at them. Akshay's mother claimed her son was even afraid of firecrackers. The Bombay High Court on Wednesday observed that the shooting of Shinde could have been avoided, warning that if the investigation is not conducted properly, it will issue appropriate orders.
High Court directs case files transfer to CID
The bench, comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan, directed the immediate transfer of all case files to the Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department (CID). The court expressed skepticism about the police's version of events, suggesting potential foul play and stating that the incident could not be "termed an encounter." They clarified that they were not suspecting police activities but wanted them to "come clean on all aspects."
