MUMBAI: A magistrate's inquiry has found five policemen responsible for the custodial death of Akshay Shinde, who was accused in the Badlapur school sexual assault case. The inquiry report was submitted to the Bombay High Court, which heard a plea from Akshay Shinde's father, Anna Shinde, alleging that his son was killed in a fake encounter. 

A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale studied the report and has ordered the registration of an FIR against the officers involved and has sought to know which agency will investigate the case. You (the government) are bound to file an FIR based on this magistrate report. Tell us which agency will investigate the matter," the court said. The Maharashtra government is expected to appoint a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct the probe. 

The officers held responsible include senior police inspector Sanjay Shinde, assistant police inspector Nilesh More, head constables Abhijeet More and Harish Tawade, and a police driver Satish Khatal. The inquiry raised serious doubts about the police's account of the incident, noting that forensic evidence did not support their claims.

The inquiry casts doubt on the police's claim of self-defence during the alleged encounter. Forensic evidence, including the absence of fingerprints on the alleged weapon and no gunshot residues on Shinde's hands, suggests the use of force was unjustified. 

Akshay Shinde, aged 24, was arrested in August 2024 for allegedly sexually assaulting two minor girls at a school in Badlapur, Maharashtra. On September 23, he was killed during an alleged police shootout while being transported for questioning. The police claimed he had snatched an officer's firearm and opened fire, leading to retaliatory action. 

The court had also taken a suo moto cognisance of the sexual assault case and ordered for an expert committee to be set up to address the safety concerns of students in schools and other educational institutions. Public prosecutor Venegaonkar on Monday submitted to the bench the state education department's affidavit on the steps it has taken post the incident and the committee report shall be ready by January 31.