In a significant development, the Bombay High Court on Friday cleared any suspicions of foul play in the custodial death of Anuj Thapan, an accused in the high-profile case of firing outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence. The division bench, comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan, reviewed the magisterial report and CCTV footage and found no evidence suggesting a custodial death.
Anuj Thapan, accused alongside others of an attack near Salman Khan’s Bandra home on April 14, allegedly took his own life on May 1. His body was discovered in a crime branch lock-up toilet, leading to allegations of police misconduct from his family. Thapan’s mother, Rita Devi, petitioned the High Court, urging an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into what she believed was a murder, not a suicide.
However, the justices found the circumstances around Thapan’s death to be clear of any criminal activity. “The CCTV footage reviewed shows Mr. Thapan entering the toilet alone, with no one following him, which strongly counters any argument of foul play,” Justice Chavan commented during the proceedings.
The court expressed sympathy for Thapan’s mother but emphasized the complexities surrounding personal motives for suicide. Justice Dere remarked, “It’s challenging to fully understand the mental state of any individual, and unfortunately, that’s often why suicides are so confounding and tragic.”
The hearing shed light on the police’s perspective that Thapan could have significantly aided their investigation, potentially even as an approver, which further negates the theory of police desiring harm to him.
