Overview

• The Maharashtra DGP, Rashmi Shukla, has formed a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the controversial custodial death of Akshay Shinde, following Supreme Court orders.
• The SIT is led by DIG Dattatray Shinde, with officers from the Mira-Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) Police and Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate, including ACP Umesh Mane.
• The Supreme Court clarified that the original FIR filed by Mumbra police suffices, eliminating the need for a new FIR against the police personnel involved.
• The SIT has taken over all case-related documents from the Crime Investigation Department (CID) and has commenced a fresh investigation into the alleged staged encounter.
• Shinde, accused of sexually assaulting two kindergarten girls, was killed in custody in September 2024, with a magisterial inquiry later casting doubt on the police's self-defense claim.