Bombay HC seeks update on probe into custodial death of accused Anuj Thapan
The Bombay High Court has ordered an update on the inquiry into the alleged suicide of a suspect while in police custody in connection with the Salman Khan house firing. The court also ordered the retention of CCTV footage from the police station as well as the officers` call data records.
Rita Devi, Anuj Thapan`s mother, filed the petition after he died on May 1 in the Mumbai police crime branch`s lockup. While the police believe it was suicide, Devi claims foul play and requests that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigate her son`s death, citing physical assault and torture in jail, reported PTI.
According to the report, the court was informed that a magisterial inquiry and an Accidental Death Report (ADR) was filed after death of accused in Salman Khan house firing, with the CID managing the case since May 3. However, Devi`s lawyers recommended that the case be transferred to the CBI, citing the investigation`s delay.
The court emphasised the importance of assessing the status of both the magisterial inquiry and the CID investigation before considering a transfer to the CBI. The case has been rescheduled for a hearing on May 22, with directions to retain pertinent CCTV footage and phone data records, the PTI report added.
“What is the status of the magisterial inquiry and also the CID probe? File a status report. Let us first see what is the status of these two inquiries,” the bench said and posted the matter for further hearing on May 22.
“In the meantime, the CCTV footage of the police station and the call data record (CDR) of the concerned police officers shall be preserved,” the court said.
Salman Khan house firing case: 2 persons open fire at Galaxy Apartments
On April 14, two persons on a bike opened fire outside Salman Khan`s home–Galaxy Apartment and fled to Gujarat from there. Within 48 hours the police had arrested the two shooters and later on April 26 arrested Anuj Thapan from Punjab. The police have also recovered firearms and live magazines from Surat`s Tapi river.
So far, the cops have arrested six persons in the Salman Khan house firing case. The officials have also issued a Look Out Circular against Lawrence Bishnoi`s brother Anmol Bishnoi who in a social media post had claimed responsibility for the attack.
