India, May 1 -- A "very sorry state of affairs," the Bombay High Court remarked on Wednesday, as it criticised the crime branch's Special Investigation Team (SIT) for failing to register an FIR against five policemen accused in the alleged custodial death of 24-year-old Akshay Shinde, the key accused in the Badlapur child sexual assault case.

The court's sharp rebuke came after public prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar admitted that the SIT had not filed an FIR, despite clear directions issued on April 7. The court warned that it would be "constrained to initiate contempt proceedings" if its orders were not followed. Following this, the SIT assured the bench that an FIR would be registered by Saturday, May 3.

A magisterial inquiry, concluded ...