The recent transfer of Sanjay Shinde to the Central Unit of the Thane Crime Branch just 20 days before the alleged self-defence encounter has raised eyebrows. Previously assigned to the Special Branch, he was asked to join the SIT, formed by the Maharashtra government, to investigate the Badlapur sexual assault case. However, he was called back to the commissioner’s office due to law and order concerns and was subsequently appointed as the investigating officer for the unnatural sex case filed by Akshay Shinde’s wife.

Police Inspector Sanjay Ramchandra Shinde, 57, a 1992 batch officer of the Maharashtra police, was promoted to ACP earlier this year and transferred to Navi Mumbai. However, he refused the promotion and chose to remain as a PI with the Thane police. According to regulations, an officer who declines a promotion should be given a non-executive posting, but despite his refusal, he was posted to a unit of the Crime Branch. Initially stationed in the Special Branch of the Thane police, Shinde was transferred to the Crime Branch Central Unit on September 3, just 20 days before the alleged self-defence encounter involving Akshay Shinde. Sanjay Shinde has a questionable past.