In a shocking development, Akshay Shinde -- the lone accused in the much-discussed Badlapur child sexual assault case -- was alleged shot at in a return fire, in an alleged skirmish with a police team on Monday. He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition.

Another policeman was also reportedly injured in the sudden firing. Both Shinde and the injured policeman have been admitted to a hospital at Kalwa for treatment.

The incident took place when Shinde was being shifted by a police escort from Taloja Jail to Badlapur town in Thane district for investigation in another case in which he is an accused.

En route, Shinde allegedly snatched a gun from the accompanying policeman and fired around one round at self and another at the police constable accompanying him, even as other police personnel attempted to overpower him.  One of the members accompanying Shinde returned fire at Shinde in "self-defence", injuring the latter critically.

All details of the incident were not available at the time of going to the press. 

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly  Vijay Wadettiwar of the Congress demanded to know “whether the incident was an attempt to destroy evidence” in the case.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Deputy Leader Sushma Andhare rooted for a CBI investigation into the incident.

It may be recalled that two nursery girls – aged four and six years --  were sexually abused allegedly by sweeper Shinde when they in the washroom of the kindergarten school run by Adarsh Vidya Prasarak Sanstha (AVPS) on August 13 for using the toilet there.

Shinde was arrested on August 17 and his police custody was subsequently extended till August 26, after all lawyers from  the Kalyan Bar Association have resolved not to defend him in the case.