The family of the deceased suspect claims he was killed by the police

ANI |
Updated: May 01, 2024 11:42 PM IST

Fazilka (Punjab) (India), May 1 (ANI): The family of Anuj Thapan, the suspect in the shooting outside Salman Khan’s house shop, who died by “suicide” in police custody, has alleged that he was “murdered” by the police.
The family also demanded that his autopsy be conducted outside Mumbai.
Abhishek Thapan, brother of the deceased accused, said Anuj could not have committed suicide and demanded ‘justice’.
“Anuj was taken from Sangrur by Mumbai Police six to seven days ago. Today we received a call that Anuj had committed suicide. He wasn’t the kind who could have committed suicide. He was murdered by the police. We want justice. He worked as a truck helper,” said Abhishek Thapan.

Sarpanch of the deceased’s native village, Manoj Godara, told ANI, “This case is suspicious from the beginning. They were two brothers, a sister and a mother. They have no father. Anuj used to work as a truck driver’s helper… he was taken away by Mumbai Police without informing the Panchayat family. We all knew how much security there is in police custody.”
“On one side is superstar Salman Khan and on the other side are the workers. Under pressure, they killed him and declared it a suicide,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Mumbai Police said Thapan had allegedly attempted suicide and hanged himself in the cell. He was taken to the nearest hospital, where he was pronounced dead
He was one of the gun suppliers in the shooting case outside actor Salman Khan’s house.
Police stated that the state CID is investigating Anuj Thapan’s suicide case.
The Sarpanch demanded that the autopsy of Anuj Thapan’s body be conducted outside Mumbai.

“The family demands justice. His autopsy has to take place outside this state because Salman Khan has influence in Mumbai. Whenever he hears the name ‘Bishnoi’, he gets scared,” Godara further said.

Rajnish, uncle of the deceased accused, also demanded justice and said that it was only through a phone call that they came to know about Anuj’s death and no explanation was given.
“The police had taken Anuj away. We were informed on the phone only a day later. Today we were told that he had died by suicide. When we asked how he died, they said nothing and hung up the phone. Even if he was guilty, the court should have punished him. What right did the police have to kill him,” he said.
The case relates to the morning of April 14, when two men arrived on a motorcycle, fired four shots outside Salman Khan’s Galaxy Apartments and fled. CCTV footage showed both suspects wearing caps and carrying backpacks. The clip also showed them shooting towards the actor’s home. After the arrest of the suspect, Kutch DSP AR Zankant said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was in contact with Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
The Mumbai crime police arrested both the shooters – Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta, and the two arms suppliers – Sonu Subhash Chander and Anuj Thapan.
Meanwhile, a lookout notice has been issued against Anmol Bishnoi, younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, in connection with the case.
Earlier, Mumbai Police invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) against all suspects arrested in connection with the shooting incident.
Mumbai Crime Branch officials said police have identified gangster Lawrence Bishnoi as the leader of the gang and added parts of MCOCA to the FIR.
Earlier, Mumbai Police registered a case against four people in the shooting case, naming the Bishnoi brothers as the main suspects. Sections under IPC 506(2) (threatening), 115 (sedition) and 201 (tampering with evidence) have been added to the case.
Mumbai Crime Branch officials said gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his brother Anmol Bishnoi have been declared as wanted suspects in connection with the case. Anmol Bishnoi claimed responsibility for the fire outside Salman’s home in a Facebook post after the attack. (ANI)