On Wednesday(15th May),Bombay HC seeks Mumbai police status report on Anuj Thapan’s death in custody amid firing case near Salman Khan’s house. Court stresses cautious approach, refrains from hasty CBI probe transfer.
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MUMBAI: On Wednesday(15th May), The Bombay High Court has issued a directive to the Mumbai police, urging them to file a status report regarding the ongoing inquiries into the death of Anuj Thapan. Thapan, who was accused in a case related to firing near actor Salman Khan’s house, passed away while under police custody. The court, however, emphasized that it cannot blindly transfer the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) without proper justification.
“The bench emphasized that directing the transfer of the probe to an external agency without sufficient clarity isn’t prudent. It urged the state to clarify the absence of an FIR. Only after the completion of the investigation can a reassessment be made.”
The court’s directive came in response to a petition filed by Thapan’s mother, Rita Devi. In her plea, Devi alleged that her son was murdered by the Crime Branch of the Mumbai police and subjected to brutal assault and torture while in police custody. The petition, represented by advocates Sriram Parakkat and Rajwant Kaur, seeks a CBI investigation into Thapan’s death. Additionally, it requests a fresh post-mortem examination of Thapan’s body.
Responding to the allegations, Public Prosecutor Prajakta Shinde argued during the hearing that an Accidental Death Report (ADR) had been registered, and the State Crime Investigation Department (CID) was currently investigating the matter.
The court’s decision to seek a status report indicates its commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent investigation into Thapan’s death. By requesting a report from the Mumbai police, the court aims to assess the progress made in the ongoing inquiries. This step is crucial in determining the need for a transfer of the probe to an external agency like the CBI.
The case has garnered considerable attention due to the serious allegations made by Thapan’s mother. Her claims of her son being murdered and subjected to brutal assault and torture raise grave concerns about the conduct of the Mumbai police. If these allegations are proven true, it would be a severe violation of Thapan’s rights and a breach of the public’s trust in the police force.
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The plea for a CBI investigation is based on the belief that an independent and impartial agency like the CBI would be better equipped to handle the case. The CBI’s expertise and experience in handling complex investigations could potentially shed light on the circumstances surrounding Thapan’s death and bring those responsible to justice.
Moreover, the request for a fresh post-mortem examination of Thapan’s body aims to ensure a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the cause and manner of his death. Such an examination can provide crucial evidence and help determine if any foul play was involved.
While the court has not yet made a final decision on transferring the probe to the CBI, its focus on the status report indicates a thorough consideration of the facts and circumstances surrounding the case. The court’s approach demonstrates a commitment to justice and fairness, allowing the investigation to proceed based on the merit and evidence presented.
the Bombay High Court has instructed the Mumbai police to provide a status report on the progress of the ongoing investigations into the death of Anuj Thapan. Thapan, who was taken into police custody as an accused in a firing incident near actor Salman Khan’s house, tragically passed away while in custody. The court has also urged the police to ensure the preservation of crucial evidence, including CCTV footage and call data records (CDR) of the police officers involved in the case.
During the court proceedings, Public Prosecutor Prajakta Shinde revealed that a magisterial inquiry has been initiated to examine the circumstances surrounding Thapan’s death that occurred while he was under police custody. To assess the progress made by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) and the magisterial inquiry, a vacation court bench comprising Justices Sandeep Marne and Neela Gokhale directed Shinde to submit a comprehensive status report.
The court’s decision to request a status report aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the ongoing investigations. By reviewing the report, the court will be able to evaluate the advancements made by the CID and the magisterial inquiry, thereby facilitating an informed decision on the way forward.
Additionally, recognizing the importance of preserving crucial evidence, the court directed the concerned police station to secure the CCTV footage and call data records (CDR) of the police officers involved in the case. These pieces of evidence play a vital role in understanding the sequence of events and determining the actions taken by the police during Thapan’s custody.
With these directions in place, the court has scheduled the next hearing on May 22, where further discussions and decisions regarding the case are expected to take place. The court’s focus on preserving evidence and obtaining a status report demonstrates its commitment to a thorough and unbiased investigation.
The circumstances leading to Thapan’s arrest are rooted in an alleged arms supply case. On April 26, the Mumbai police’s crime branch arrested Thapan, along with three other individuals, on charges of providing arms to the other accused involved in the firing incident near Salman Khan’s house. Thapan was subsequently remanded to police custody until April 30.
As the investigation progressed, the police invoked provisions under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA) in connection with the case. On April 29, all the accused, including Thapan, were presented before the trial court after the invocation of MCOCA.
During the court hearing, the police requested an extension of the custody of three accused, including Thapan, until May 8. However, for medical reasons, the remaining accused were remanded to judicial custody. This development indicates the seriousness of the case and the need for a thorough investigation into the alleged arms supply and firing incident.
On May 1, it was reported that Thapan had died by suicide. In reaction to this tragic news, Thapan’s mother filed a petition with the Bombay High Court, seeking justice and a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her son’s premature passing.
The petition filed by Thapan’s mother highlights the need for a fair and impartial investigation into the events surrounding her son’s death. It underscores the importance of holding the responsible parties accountable and sheds light on the pressing concerns regarding Thapan’s well-being while in police custody.
Background:
On April 14th, an alarming incident unfolded outside Salman Khan’s Bandra residence, Galaxy Apartments, as shots were fired by two masked assailants on a motorcycle. The suspects, Anuj Thapan, Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, allegedly affiliated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, were speedy apprehended.
Anuj Thapan‘s death in police custody, following his arrest in connection to the shooting near Salman Khan’s residence, has sparked suspicion. His family seeks a CBI investigation, alleging foul play and demanding transparency. They urge release of CCTV footage and preservation of call records, emphasizing the need for a thorough probe.
Case Title:
Anuj Thapan v. State of Maharashtra & Ors.
