Updated On: 04 May, 2024 06:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan Khan
Kin of Salman case accused Anuj Thapan, found dead in Crime Branch custody, demand CBI investigation

Anuj Kumar Thapan the deceased
The family of Anuj Kumar Thapan, who allegedly died by suicide in police custody on Wednesday, is demanding a CBI investigation into the death. They claim their son was mistreated and could have been strangled to death. Thapan died in police custody, and the post-mortem examination confirmed suicide by hanging. The state CID is investigating to determine what occurred inside the lockup where the accused in the Salman Khan firing case took his own life. Thapan’s family, including his uncle, cousin, and grandfather, arrived from Punjab on Friday morning to claim his body from JJ Hospital, where the post-mortem was conducted.

(From left) Vikram Thapan (cousin brother) Kuldeep Bishnoi (uncle) Jaswant Singh (grandfather)
The post-mortem confirmed a ligature mark on his neck typical of hanging cases. "We were only informed of his death on May 1 around 2 pm by the police. They booked our flight tickets to Mumbai, but we lack faith in the crime branch and seek a CBI probe," said Kuldeep Bishnoi, Thapan`s uncle. "Despite CCTV cameras and guards in the lockup, our child wasn`t protected, and the police claim he committed suicide. We strongly suspect he was strangled due to political pressure and pressure from Salman Khan," said Bishnoi.