5 Cops Held Responsible for Badlapur 'Fake' Encounter

A magistrate's inquiry has held five Maharashtra policemen responsible for the custodial death of Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur school sexual assault case, raising doubt on police claims that the accused opened fire and was killed in retaliatory firing in September last year.

- SUDHIR SURYAWANSHI @Mumbai

Magistrate Ashok Shengde, in his report tendered in a sealed cover to the Bombay High Court on Monday, noted that allegations levelled by Akshay Shinde's parents – that their son was killed in a fake encounter – has found substance if all evidences, including forensic reports, are taken into consideration.

As per the report, there are no fingerprints of the deceased on the gun. The report, which comes four months after the alleged police shootout, said the "contention raised by the police personnel of right to private or self-defence comes under a shadow of suspicion".