Bombay HC Steps In: Employment, Shelter for Badlapur Accused’s Parents
Bombay HC Steps In: Employment, Shelter for Badlapur Accused’s Parents
The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to provide shelter and employment to the parents of Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case. The court’s bench, comprising Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj Chavan, was hearing a suo motu petition following public outrage over police negligence in the case.
Shinde’s parents, who work as manual scavengers, were present in court. The judges urged their lawyer, Amit Katarnaware, to use his social connections to help the family find a respectable job, as manual scavenging is illegal in India. The court emphasized that the parents should not be punished for their son’s actions.
The Shinde family, who had been living in Badlapur, had to flee after receiving threats following their son’s alleged crime and death in a police shootout. They are currently living in Kalyan after their home was ransacked. The family had also been receiving life threats, despite a reduction in the threats. The court questioned the state’s decision to provide house security but not offer proper protection.
Meanwhile, the court was informed that the two minor victims of Shinde’s assault would be transferred to another school, with the state bearing the cost of their education. Shinde was accused of sexually assaulting two kindergarten girls at a Badlapur school. He was arrested but killed by the Thane police in September during a shootout while being transported for questioning.
The court has now directed the state to urgently assist the family with accommodation and employment, ensuring their dignity is preserved.
