Bombay High Court Criticizes Thane Court Over Akshay Shinde Encounter Report Delay

The High Court questioned the Thane sessions court's decision to hold findings of a magistrate's inquiry into the custodial death of Akshay Shinde, raising concerns about judicial overreach.

• Akshay Shinde, accused in the Badlapur school sexual assault case, was killed in a police encounter in September 2024 while being transported from Taloja jail to Thane.
• A judicial magistrate's report cast doubt on the police's version of events, holding five officers responsible for Shinde's death and questioning the legitimacy of the encounter.
• The Thane sessions court suspended key findings of the magistrate's report, citing a pending revision application by the implicated officers, despite the matter being under Bombay High Court review.
• The Bombay High Court criticized the sessions court for overstepping its jurisdiction and questioned whether an FIR should be filed based on the magistrate's report.
• Shinde's parents, who initially sought an investigation into his death, later withdrew their plea; the High Court has appointed an amicus curiae to assist in resolving the case.

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