Cops shoot dead Badlapur sexual assault case accused in 'self-defence'

Oppn alleges 'encounter', calls for thorough investigation

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In a dramatic turn of events, Akshay Shinde, the 24-year-old accused of sexually assaulting two minor girls at a school in Badlapur, Maharashtra, died in a police shootout on Monday evening. The incident has reignited public debate and drawn scrutiny from opposition leaders, who are calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Shinde's death.

According to official reports, the shootout occurred at approximately 6:15 pm on the Mumbra bypass while Shinde was being transported from Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai to Badlapur for further investigation. Police claim that Shinde managed to snatch a pistol from one of the officers in the vehicle and fired multiple rounds, injuring Assistant Police Inspector (API) Nilesh More. In response, another officer opened fire on Shinde, critically wounding him. Shinde was rushed to a hospital in Kalwa, where he succumbed to his injuries.