Rape Case Co-accused Quits As BJP-nominated Corporator

Mumbai: Tushar Apte, a BJP-nominated corporator in the Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipality, submitted his resignation from the post on Saturday following intense political pressure and public outcry. The move comes just a day after his appointment to the executive committee, a decision that drew sharp criticism due to his status as an accused in the high-profile Badlapur child sexual abuse case.

Apte was the secretary of the educational institution where the minor was raped by Akshay Shinde. Later, ahead of the Maharashtra state Assembly elections, Shinde was killed in a police encounter.

The Badalapur Nagar Parishad published its list of co-opted corporators, in which the BJP and the Shiv Sena co-opted two corporators each, while the Ajit Pawar-led NCP co-opted one corporator. Surprisingly, in the list, the BJP named 2024 Badalapur rape case co accused Apate as a co-opted corporator.

The appointment triggered a swift backlash from opposition parties and local organisations. NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule alleged that the BJP had reached the “height of insensitivity” and strongly condemned the development. “By giving a nominated corporator’s position to an accused in the Badlapur child sexual abuse case, the BJP has made its priorities clear. The safety of children and women should be a priority for any government. However, the BJP has shown extreme insensitivity by giving an opportunity to a person accused under the POCSO Act to become a nominated corporator. We strongly condemn this,” she posted on her X handle.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Avinash Jadhav had issued a formal ultimatum, warning of a large-scale protest march in Badlapur on January 13 or 14 if the appointment was not revoked. Similarly, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut questioned the ruling party’s ethics, asking if the nomination was a reward for those linked to such sensitive criminal cases.

The controversy placed the BJP in a difficult position ahead of upcoming local body elections. Apte, who is currently out on bail. As demands for his removal intensified across the political spectrum, senior party leadership intervened to mitigate further damage to the party’s public image.

State BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule addressed the matter earlier in the day stating that appropriate action would be taken against anyone who had erred and promising an impartial inquiry. Shortly after these remarks, Apte tendered his resignation to the municipal authorities, citing a voluntary decision to step down from the nominated post. In his formal letter dated January 10, 2026, Apte requested the administration to accept his resignation with immediate effect.