Anuj Thapan, an accused in the case of firing outside actor Salman Khan’s residence, died by suicide in jail today.
According to NDTV, Anuj Thapan, 32, was found deceased in a toilet attached to the police lock-up, where he was held with ten other inmates under the watch of four to five officers. Thapan, arrested in Punjab on April 26, allegedly supplied the arms used in the April 14 incident outside Khan’s Mumbai home.
The circumstances leading to Thapan’s suicide are currently under investigation. Former Maharashtra senior police officer PK Jain commented that any death in police custody is treated as a murder case, ensuring thorough inquiries into such incidents. “All policemen present at the station will be questioned by the CID (Criminal Investigation Department),” Jain stated, emphasizing that lock-ups are routinely inspected to remove any potential means for suicide.
Jain also noted that there have been instances of suicides in lock-ups using makeshift nooses from clothing despite continuous monitoring to prevent such incidents and escapes.
Two other suspects, Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, who allegedly executed the shooting, remain in custody. They were captured on CCTV leaving the scene on a motorcycle on the night of the attack.
All four accused have connections to Lawrence Bishnoi, a notorious gangster involved in various criminal activities. The Mumbai Crime Branch recently declared Lawrence Bishnoi and his brother Anmol Bishnoi the most wanted suspects in this ongoing case.
Following threats from Bishnoi and another gangster, Goldy Brar, Salman Khan’s security has been enhanced to Y-Plus since November 2022, permitting him a personal firearm and an armoured vehicle.
