Cop fired at accused in self-defence: Fadnavis

FAKE ENCOUNTER? - Political slugfest begins; Opposition alleges that the govt wants to suppress the case

- Kalpesh Mhamunkar

Amid accusations of a 'fake encounter' of Badlapur sex assault accused Akshay Shinde, state home minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the opposition parties should not argue on such an issue when the bullets were fired at the police.

Fadnavis said that the accused's second wife had filed a case of sexual assault and that he was being taken to Badlapur for investigation. However, he snatched the weapon from the police and fired at them, he said. Fadnavis added, "The police fired at the accused in self-defense. He was injured and taken to the government hospital after police fired retaliatory shots."

Within minutes of the news going viral, leaders from the opposition parties raised suspicion of a staged "encounter" and alleged that the government wants to suppress the Badlapur case to save the directors of the school.