An accused linked to the Salman Khan firing case allegedly died by suicide while in Mumbai Police custody.
According to Indian media reports, Anuj Thapan, aged 32, was found dead in the police lock-up at the Mumbai Police headquarters, later pronounced dead at GT Hospital. The incident occurred around 11 am, where Thapan reportedly took his life in the lock-up's bathroom.
Police sources reveal that while two other accused were recording statements, Thapan was with 10 others in the cell. The reason behind the suicide remains unclear.
Thapan was apprehended by the Mumbai Crime Branch last week from Punjab for his alleged involvement in procuring firearms for the perpetrators who fired shots outside Salman Khan's residence on April 14.
Alongside Thapan, three others have been arrested, including Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta, suspected to be on the motorbike from which the shots were fired. The third accused, Sonu Bishnoi, is currently in judicial custody due to health reasons.
The incident raises concerns about the security breach and the effectiveness of the police investigation. The Mumbai police have been probing the case under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) due to suspected links with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. As the investigation continues, questions arise about the circumstances surrounding Thapan's suicide and the measures in place to prevent such incidents in police custody.
An accidental death report has been filed, adding to the complexities of the case under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
The GT Hospital, where Thapan was taken, has become a focal point of the investigation into the Mumbai police custody death.
