Bombay High Court Questions Shocking Sessions Court Order

The Bombay High Court criticized a sessions court order for halting a magistrate's findings regarding the alleged 'encounter' killing of Akshay Shinde, accused in a sexual assault case. The magistrate deemed the police's use of force unjustified. The HC appointed Manjula Rao as an amicus curiae to assist further deliberations.

The Bombay High Court on Thursday sharply criticized a sessions court's decision to suspend a magistrate's report questioning the legitimacy of an alleged police 'encounter' involving Akshay Shinde, accused in a sexual assault case.

The magistrate argued that the five escorting policemen could have controlled the situation without lethal force. However, the police contended that Shinde initiated an attack during his transfer from Taloja prison to Kalyan, prompting them to respond in self-defense.

With Shinde's family claiming the encounter was staged, the Bombay High Court questioned the sessions court's jurisdiction to intervene in a matter already under its consideration. The court has now appointed senior advocate Manjula Rao as an amicus curiae to explore various legal aspects of the case as it awaits further hearings.