GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 24th Sept. In the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Akshay Shinde, the main accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case, Maharashtra’s political landscape has become increasingly volatile. Leaders from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition have vehemently criticized the ruling Mahayuti government, labeling the incident an “absolute breakdown of law enforcement and justice systems.” The controversy erupted following Shinde’s death during a police operation, which the Mahayuti government claims was an act of self-defense.
MVA leaders took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to voice their concerns. Questions were raised about how Shinde, who was handcuffed, managed to seize a firearm from police officers and open fire. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare compared the incident to the controversial police shooting of four rape suspects in Telangana in 2019, suggesting that the truth would remain elusive following Shinde’s death. “Was Akshay Shinde killed because he was hiding something more sinister? Why is the school management still on the run?” she questioned.
Leader of the Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar echoed these sentiments, expressing a lack of trust in the Badlapur police and calling for a judicial inquiry into the incident. “Is this an attempt to destroy evidence? How could he reach for the gun when his hands were supposedly tied?” he demanded.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders, including Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule, also condemned the government’s handling of the situation. Pawar described the incident as “questionable,” while Sule characterized the state government’s response as “shocking.” She pointed out the delays in filing an FIR and the subsequent death of the prime accused, declaring it an “absolute breakdown of the law enforcement and justice system.”
In defense of the police actions, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated that the shooting was justified as an act of self-defense. Shinde stated, “The accused’s ex-wife had charged him with sexual violence, and while the police were taking him for a probe, he snatched a gun and opened fire.”
Responding to the opposition’s criticism, Shinde remarked, “Earlier, they demanded that Akshay Shinde be hanged. Now they are siding with him and questioning the integrity of Maharashtra police. Such actions are condemnable.” Deputy CM Fadnavis also supported the police, emphasizing that their actions were intended to protect lives during the operation.
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