Aaditya Thackeray on Badlapur encounter: A Shinde killed to protect an Apte?

Uddhav-Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday raised concerns over the death of Akshay Shinde, the main accused in the Badlapur rape case, in police custody. Speaking at the India Today Conclave in Mumbai, Thackeray questioned whether “a Shinde had been killed to protect an Apte”.
Thackeray made the remark with reference to Tushar Apte, secretary of the trust running the school where two kindergarteners, 3 and 4, were sexually abused by Akshay Shinde. It was earlier found that Tushar Apte was linked to the BJP. A banner posted by Tushar Apte on his Facebook page showed that he was the BJP president of the public welfare committee of Ambarnath.
Thackeray emphasised that multiple questions surrounded Akshay Shinde’s encounter in retaliatory fire after allegedly opening fire on the police. “Whether it was an encounter, a killing, or a suicide… many questions are being raised,” Thackeray stated.
Speaking about the sexual assault case, Thackeray stated that it was an absolute failure of Eknath Shinde’s administration. Noting that the incident was against basic human principles, he highlighted that the mother of a three-year-old child had to repeatedly visit the police station to file an FIR.
Akshay Shinde, arrested for sexually abusing two girls at a school in Maharashtra’s Badlapur, was shot dead by police on Monday in an encounter.
Aaditya Thackeray, in a pointed remark, emphasised that the Shiv Sena-led Uddhav government was among the best Maharashtra had seen, governing inclusively across the state. “If you go to the hinterland, you’ll see how well we’ve governed,” he said, adding that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance is united with a clear understanding of its mission.
“We are fighting for the pride of Maharashtra, to save the state,” Thackeray stressed. However, the question of who would be the Chief Minister if the alliance won the polls remains a challenge — one that Thackeray acknowledges is difficult, but will be managed by the alliance.
In a direct challenge to the current Maharashtra Chief Minister, Thackeray labelled Eknath Shinde an “illegal CM,” questioning his legitimacy and daring him to name the Chief Minister face.
“If Shinde answer who will represent their side, we will answer ours,” he stated, hinting at deeper discord within the opposition.
Thackeray further called for a face-to-face debate with Shinde, claiming, “I know him well, and I’m ready.” The statement not only highlights the ongoing power struggle but also sets the stage for a heated political showdown in Maharashtra.