Salman Khan firing case: ‘We suspect he was strangled due to political pressure’

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.

"When we went to the hospital, we were not allowed to see his full body, which was wrapped in white clothes. We could only see his face, and there was a clear mark on his neck indicating possible strangulation. We demanded to see his body for any other marks, but we were denied access," said Bishnoi.

The family also claimed they were unaware of Thapan's arrest by the police last month; they were informed several days after his arrest. "His father passed away a few years ago, and he was the sole provider for his mother, sister, and younger brother. He worked as a truck driver and cleaner. I am certain he is innocent, and his arrest was based on mere suspicion," Bishnoi said.

Undated photo of Anuj Thapan. Pic/PTI

Regarding Salman Khan, Thapan's uncle expressed, "Salman Khan has hurt the sentiments of our community by killing a black buck and has never apologised. He should consider apologising because the entire community is angered by his actions. However, this doesn't imply any involvement of my nephew in any assassination attempts."

Thapan's grandfather, Jaswant Singh, said, "My child is being framed in the case and was later killed. There was a clear mark on his neck, and we demand a CBI probe in the case." Thapan was arrested last month by the Mumbai police from his hometown in Punjab. He was allegedly involved in supplying weapons to the accused, who fired outside Salman Khan's residence on the instructions of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The police have so far arrested four suspects in the case, including Thapan, and are likely to take custody of Bishnoi as well.

May 1
Day the family was informed about Thapan's death