Anuj Thapan, one of the individuals arrested in connection with the firing incident outside actor Salman Khan’s residence, was found dead by suicide while in police custody. The incident has sparked investigations into the circumstances leading to his demise.
Details of the Incident:
- Anuj Thapan, aged 32, was apprehended from Punjab on April 26 in relation to the firing incident.
- Sources indicate that he took his own life by hanging himself in a toilet attached to the police lock-up at approximately 11 am.
- Thapan was among ten other inmates being guarded by a team of four to five policemen.
Background of the Case:
- Anuj Thapan and another accused, Sonu Subhash Chander, were purportedly involved in providing the weapons used in the firing outside Salman Khan’s Mumbai residence on April 14.
- Investigations are underway to ascertain the motives behind Thapan’s suicide.
- Former Maharashtra senior police officer PK Jain emphasised that any death within a police lock-up is treated as a potential murder case, necessitating a thorough investigation.
Ongoing Investigations:
- The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is set to question all policemen associated with the lock-up where the incident occurred.
- Standard protocols for checking lock-ups to prevent such incidents will be reviewed, as per Mr Jain.
Connection to Organized Crime:
- Thapan, along with other suspects Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, is believed to have links to Lawrence Bishnoi, a notorious gangster involved in various criminal activities.
- The Mumbai Crime Branch recently identified Bishnoi and his brother, Anmol Bishnoi, as key suspects in the case.
- Salman Khan’s security measures have been elevated since November 2022 due to threats from Bishnoi and another gangster, Goldy Brar.
The demise of Anuj Thapan within police custody adds a new layer of complexity to the investigation surrounding the firing incident outside Salman Khan’s residence. As authorities delve deeper into the circumstances leading to his suicide, questions regarding the extent of organised crime involvement in the case persist.
