Badlapur Encounter Case Live Updates: Very hard to believe accused managed to seize pistol and open fire, says Bombay HC

The Bombay high court begins hearing a petition filed by the father of Akshay Shinde, accused in the Badlapur school sexual assault case who was killed in a police encounter on Monday evening. Akshay Shinde's father Anna Shinde has demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the case. Anna Shinde, in his petition filed through advocate Amit Katranware, has alleged that his son was killed in a fake encounter. The encounter killing has sparked mixed response from the political parties and general public. While the opposition has criticised the Mahayuti government over the encounter, some parties including the Shiv Sena and MNS have announced rewards for the cops involved in the shootout. A day after the killing, Shiv Sena's Kalyan chief announced a reward of Rs 51,000 for assistant inspector Nilesh More who was injured in the encounter while MNS' Thane and Palghar chief announced similar rewards for More and his colleage Sanjay Shinde who pulled the trigger. Sweets were distributed at Badlapur station and celebrations broke out in the town. Stay with TOI for all the latest updates: