PUCL Maharashtra condemns 'extrajudicial killing' of Akshay Shinde

The Peoplersquos Union for Civil Liberties PUCL Maharashtra on Saturday issued a statement condemning the extrajudicial killing of Akshay Shinde the accused in the recent Badlapur sexual assaults caseThe incident occurred on September 23 2024 when Shinde was shot dead while being escorted for investigations in an another case registered against himThe PUCL Maharashtra in its statement expressed concerns about the incidentIt said that while the Maharashtra government has on October 2 2024 appointed a judicial commission to investigate the case even as the Bombay High Court was seized of the matter considering the serious issues that the case has brought up which are set out below PUCL Maharashtra states that it is pertinent that the investigation be conducted through a courtappointed Special Investigation Team SIT under court supervision to enable a fair and independent investigation in the case with a view to ascertain the truth and secure strong evidence and ensure accountability and justiceThe organisation has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Akshay Shindes death which they believe raises serious questions regarding police conduct and accountabilityIt said that according to reports Akshay Shinde was being transported by a 10member police team when he allegedly seized a police officers firearm and fired at the officers The police responded by shooting Shinde in the head resulting in his death This sequence of events has drawn public scrutiny especially given the public outrage following the sexual assaults of two minor girls which had already highlighted issues of police negligence and accountabilityPUCL stated that the Maharashtra government has established a judicial commission to investigate the killing but the organization insists that a courtappointed Special Investigation Team SIT is essential to ensure an impartial inquiryThe extrajudicial killing of an accused in police custody is a serious violation of the right to life as outlined in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution PUCL statedIt said Such actions undermine the credibility of our criminal justice system and set a dangerous precedentThe PUCL also noted that Akshay Shindes death has further complicated the already sensitive Badlapur sexual assaults case which has seen significant public attention and protestsAllegations of police misconduct including delays in filing the FIR and conducting medical examinations for the victims have fueled demands for justice from civil society groups and political oppositionThe PUCL Maharashtra has in its letter demanded1 An FIR be registered on the basis of the complaint of the deceasedrsquos family in the extrajudicial killing of Akshay Shinde accused in the Badlapur sexual assaults case A Special Investigation Team be appointed by the court to investigate the case The investigation be court monitored and timely reports of investigation be submitted to the court to ensure that the case is investigated fairly thoroughly and without any external influence keeping in mind that the police officers involved are from the Crime Branch Ensure that all evidence is collected impartially and the case is prosecuted effectively2 The investigation must also inquire into the Badlapur sexual assaults case to rule out any conspiracy to cover up that case and to explore its connection to the extrajudicial killing in terms of the allegations made by the family of the deceased the revelations post the encounter that raise suspicions on the circumstances in which the incident occurred and questions concerning the police officers involved in the incident A fair and proper investigation is necessitated in the Badlapur sexual assaults case in order to ensure justice to the minor survivors3 The case be tried expeditiously to ensure justice Protection be provided to the witnesses and safety of the family of the deceased Akshay Shinde be ensured4 Ensure full compliance of the Supreme Court guidelines on extrajudicial killings in the case of PUCL vs State of Maharashtra 2014 the NHRC guidelines and the letter of law5 The state government must take serious efforts to ensure that extrajudicial killings do not occur in our State and that the rule of law is upheld and justice is ensured for all