Extra-judicial killing? Cop who shot Badlapur accused linked to ‘encounter specialist’ Pradeep Sharma
Pradeep Sharma encounter specialist, Akshay Shinde
Badlapur horror: Akshay Shinde, the 24-year-old accused of sexually assaulting two minor girls at a school in Badlapurtown ofIndia's Maharashtra state, was shot dead on Monday (Sep 23). The man was reportedly killed by Sanjay Shinde, who as per reports worked with suspended cop Pradeep Sharma, popularly known as 'encounter specialist'. The accused was trying to escape and had snatched the weapon of a cop and injured him by firing.
How did Akshay Shinde die?
According to reports, the accused Akshay Shinde was being transported to Badlapur in Thane district from Tajola Jail in Navi Mumbai, when he allegedly snatched a cop's pistol and opened fire. He was grievously injured in retaliatory fire and succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Kalwa. A police officer, identified as API Nilesh More, was injured in the incident and is undergoing treatment.
The shooting incident happened around 6:15 pm IST, when the vehicle reached Mumbra bypass.
Sanjay Shinde and Pradeep Sharma connection
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According to an India Today report, Sanjay Shinde, the cop whose bullets killed the accused, had previously worked with the anti-extortion cell of the Thane Police Crime Branch, then headed by Pradeep Sharma. He was also part of the team which arrested Iqbal Kaskar, the brother of gangster Dawood Ibrahim.
Pradeep Sharma, India's 'encounter specialist', is notorious for neutralising over 100 criminals during his career. Sharma joined the police force in 1983 and gained infamy in the 1990s for his role in high-profile encounters of members of the Mumbai underworld, mostly linked to Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan.
Later in his career, he was convicted and sentenced to prison for his role in the 2006 fake encounter of Lakhan Bhaiya, an alleged aide of Chhota Rajan.
Investigation into Akshay Shinde's death
On Tuesday (Sep 24), a team of forensic experts examined the police vehicle in which the Badlapur sexual assault accused was allegedly shot. The death in police custody will be investigated by the Maharashtra CID, who will visit the spot where it happened and also record statements from personnel at the scene.
The CID team will also record statements of Akshay Shinde's parents. His father, Anna Shinde has demanded an inquiry into the killing. The accused's family has challenged claims that he snatched a gun and fired at policemen.
Shinde, a contractual sweeper at the school in Badlapur, was arrested on August 17, five days after he allegedly sexually abused the two girls in the school toilet.
(With inputs from agencies)