Badlapur Encounter Case: SIT Formed To Probe Akshay Shinde’s Death, FIR Against Police Likely

Mumbai: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed on Saturday to investigate the Akshay Shinde encounter case in Badlapur. The decision came following a meeting at the Mumbai Police Commissioner’s office, chaired by Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Lakhmi Gautam.

The SIT will be led by Lakhmi Gautam and will include Additional CP of the Crime Branch Shashi Kumar Meena, DCP Dutta Nalawade, and several Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors from the Crime Branch. The team will conduct the investigation under the direct supervision of Gautam and Meena. Confirming the development, Jt CP Gautam said that the SIT would soon commence a detailed investigation into the matter.

Sources revealed that an FIR against the police personnel involved in Akshay Shinde’s encounter is likely to be registered soon. The FIR is expected to be filed early next week, following which the SIT will officially begin its probe. As part of the investigation, the SIT will record the statements of all relevant witnesses and family members of Akshay Shinde.

Following the Bombay High Court’s directive, on Friday, the CID handed over all case documents to the newly formed SIT for further action.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the alleged encounter killing of Akshay Shinde (24), a school attendant accused of sexually assaulting two kindergarten girls inside a school toilet in Badlapur town, Thane district.

Shinde, who had been arrested and lodged in Taloja prison, died on September 23, 2024, while being transported to Thane for questioning. According to the police, Shinde allegedly snatched a constable’s weapon and injured him during the journey, prompting officers to open fire. However, a report has since confirmed that five Thane police officers were present in the moving van when the incident occurred, raising serious questions about the police’s version of events.

The SIT, formed under the leadership of senior Mumbai Police Crime Branch officials, will now conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Shinde’s death.