Bombay HC orders removal of Salman’s name from custodial death plea of firing accused’s son
The Bombay High Court on Monday ordered that Salman Khan‘s name be removed from a plea submitted by the mother of an accused in the case involving the firing outside the Bollywood actor’s apartment, which sought a CBI investigation into her son’s custodial death.
A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Shyam C Chandak was informed by the lawyer representing Rita Devi, mother of dead accused Anuj Thapan, that there is no pleading against Khan in the petition and no relief is sought against him.
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As a result, the bench asked the petitioner to remove Khan’s name as a party respondent from the petition immediately.
“What is the point of making the alleged victim a party respondent? We see no reason why Khan should continue to participate in this plea. He is not a necessary participant. You are concerned about your son’s death; the court will look into it. “By including Khan, you are deviating from the main point,” the judge observed.
Thapan committed suicide in lockup’s bathroom on May 1
Thapan was held in a crime branch lock-up at the Mumbai police headquarters. Thapan committed suicide in the lockup’s bathroom on May 1, according to authorities. Rita Devi said in her petition that despite a custodial death, the police had not filed a FIR. She urged that a FIR be registered immediately and that the CBI investigate the situation. Khan was one of the respondents to the request.
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A vacation bench of the high court instructed the Mumbai police to submit a status report on the continuing investigation into Thapan’s death. This occurred after the prosecution informed the court that the investigation into the death had been moved to the Crime Investigation Department, and a magisterial inquiry had been launched. On May 22, the high court voiced its displeasure with a “incomplete” autopsy or post mortem report presented in connection with the custody death.
On Monday, the prosecution informed the court that the magistrate asked Thapan’s mother to record a statement, which she got late. The court directed the magistrate to issue new summonses and ensure that they are served on the mother in sufficient time for her to attend. After six weeks, the High Court will hear the plea.
