Badlapur sexual assault case: Fake-encounter scripted to protect those close to CM, Fadnavis, says MVA

The police had said a 23-year-old janitor, who was arrested last month for allegedly sexually abusing two four-year-old girls at a school in Badlapur in the Thane district, was killed in “retaliatory firing” when he snatched a police officer’s service weapon and opened fire on Monday.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Chavan said, “This is a clear-cut case of a fake encounter. All the claims being made through the police by the government that the accused opened fire on scores of policemen escorting him is simply laughable.”

According to the police, the accused, who was being transported in a police vehicle, snatched Assistant Police Inspector Nilesh More’s pistol and fired at the team escorting him. They also said the accused fired three rounds, injuring three police personnel, before they shot him down in retaliation.

The incident reportedly took place near the Mumbra bypass in Thane district. The accused was being transported to Thane by a crime branch SIT that was established to investigate a sexual assault case filed by his former wife in 2021, according to the police.

Chavan said it was impossible to believe that an accused in such a high-profile case was being escorted in such a cavalier manner. “This case had not only rattled Maharashtra but triggered national outrage. Obviously, the police must have taken all precautions when he was being taken to Thane by a crime branch team from Taloja Central Jail.”

Chavan asked how an accused could carry out such a daring act when surrounded by several policemen in a vehicle, handcuffed, and with his face covered.

“Were the police sleeping in the vehicle around 6.15 pm when the incident happened? Couldn’t they overpower him when he tried to make some movements? Anyway, the weapons that police carry at such times are locked, and only they know how to unlock them. Therefore, all of these things raise serious doubts about the encounter,” Chavan said.

Chavan alleged that as home minister, Fadnavis was attempting to protect those who run the school. “I have heard that those who run the school are closely associated with Fadnavis. Therefore, he may have orchestrated this encounter to shield his associates.”

Chavan stated that Fadnavis should resign because he engaged in “illegal activities” that go against the Constitution. “We are not a lawless country. Our Constitution has established rules and regulations to handle the accused. We cannot use unconstitutional methods to deal with them. Fadnavis has damaged the reputation of Maharashtra. He is not fit to continue as the home minister and should step down,” Chavan said.

After the incident occured, the police came under fire and Fadnavis had denied that it was a fake encounter. He said the police fired in self-defense after the accused opened fire.

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said,”An accused who is to work as a sweeper snatches a revolver strapped to the waist of a policeman and in presence of his colleagues. The revolver was a locked one but he still manages to fire it. How is it possible ? Can anyone believe in this theory ? When did sweeper learn the technique of firing from a revolver.”

Alleging that the Mahayuti government was going all out to protect the other accused who run the school where the sexual assault occured, Raut said,”The police, government, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde want to protect three accused against whom cases have been filed under POCSO. Where are they hiding? Why has the police not been able to arrest them ? Why are they being protected ? Even the proof against them has been destroyed.’ The school trustees have done away with the CCTV footage… They all are close to Shinde and Fadnavis.”

Raut said when the incident came to light, thousands of people from Badlapur held protests for hours, demanding justice. “Next day, Fadnavis said we will not allow anyone to take law into their hands. The Chief Minister said a fast track court will be set up for a speedy trial. But the government did not allow the trial to take place and did not follow the law. They had filed cases against hundreds of protestors but have refused to withdraw the cases,” he said.

Reacting to Raut’s allegations, Shiv Sena spokesperson Bharat Gogawale said, “Raut is known for making wild allegations. I think he needs treatment for his mental ailment.”

Another Uddhav Sena Leader Sushma Andhare said, “The accused should have been given punishment as per the law and not by bypassing the law. Right from day one when the incident occured, the role of the police has been doubtful. Police conducted the probe at a snail’s pace. If the accused was being take to Badlapur from Taloja, why was the vehicle taken to Mumbai ? Why was the police charge-sheet being filed on a Sunday ? How did the accuse manage to unclock the revolver from which he fired on the police ? When he was handcuffed on both hands, how did he manage to snatch the revolver ?”

Alleging that the entire incident was state-sponsored, Andhare said,”This is a fake encounter script… But this case will not end with the death of the accused. There are many questions the government will have to answer… Who is the government trying to protect?”

“The ruling BJP is defending the encounter of the Badlapur case accused,” BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said.

“After the incident came to light, the opposition was demanding that the accused should be given capital punishment. Now when the police fire at him in self-defence, the opposition is taking his side. The opposition does not seem to trust Maharashtra police. They sounded worried about the safety of the accused. The leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi indulge in double talk,” Mungantiwar said.

Mungantiwar said when such encounters take place, the government initiates an investigation. “Which is the natural course… Those who were in power in the past don’t they know the procedures and the protocol in such matters… Only God should save Maharashtra from such opposition… they are openly expressing sympathy for the accused. For the sake of voters, the oppostion is ready to go to any extent.”

Umesh Patil, spokesperson of the NCP led by Ajit Pawar, said, “We don’t believe it was a fake encounter. We believe the police did the right thing in firing back when they were attacked. The larger public sentiment was that he should be given the death penalty. We are with the people on this count.”