How handcuffed accused opened fire? Maharashtra Opposition asks

Mumbai: The death of the accused in the Badlapur school sexual assault case in police firing triggered controversy in Maharashtra with the Opposition terming it an attempt to destroy evidence.

Akshay Shinde was killed as he was being shifted to Badlapur from Taloja jail, causing a political slugfest in the state ahead of the assembly polls.

Police claimed that as the accused was being taken in the vehicle he snatched Assistant Police Inspector Nilesh More's pistol and fired at the escorting police team, injuring three cops.

Shinde, who was a sweeper in the Badlapur School, allegedly sexually abused two girls in the school.

Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh asked how it was possible for the accused to open fire when both his hands were handcuffed.

Seeking a probe by a retired High Court judge, Anil Deshmukh said that the school was owned by a BJP leader and alleged that attempts were underway to hush up the case, adding the matter has been closed by the encounter.

While Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan termed the incident a "black day for Maharashtra Police", NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule alleged that there was the "absolute breakdown of the law enforcement and justice system" in the state.

Prithviraj Chavan said Maharashtra Police under the current dispensation would not be able to do justice, adding that Akshay Shinde was killed in cold blood.

The parents of the accused said there was ‘big conspiracy’ behind the Shinde’s death with his mother saying ‘My son was afraid of bursting crackers and crossing the road. How can he shoot at policemen?’

The ruling Mahayuti countered the Opposition’s charges accusing them of adopting double standards, adding that the same Opposition leaders earlier demanded hanging of Akshay Shinde.

Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske alleged that the Opposition was playing politics without even asking after the well-being of the policemen.