'Anuj body handed over to Indian High Commission'

The body of Anuj Bidve, who was shot dead at point blank range in the early hours of December 26 in Manchester, was handed over to the Indian High Commission in the UK yesterday.u00a0The victim's brother-in-law, Rakesh Sonawane, said, "Anuj's body was handed over to Indian High Commission after the second post-mortem was conducted yesterday. It should take two-three days to complete all the formalities before the body is flown back to India. Though the date arrival of his mortal remains has not been finalized yet."

Chief Superintendent of the Greater Manchester Police Russ Jackson also briefed mediapersons about the development outside the residence of the Bidves in Chandan Nagar yesterday. The cops, however, did not mention any specific date when the mortal remains of Anuj would be flown in to Pune.

"In the UK, if a charge is made against a person, the defence is entitled to a second post-mortem examination of the victim. The second autopsy was carried out in the morning of January 3. Coroner will now be able to consider release of Anuj. The deceased's family is aware of this process and the detailed reasoning behind it," said Jackson.u00a0

The Greater Manchester Police arrested Kiaran Mark Stapleton of Stalford on Monday. The 20-year-old was produced before the Manchester Magistrate's Court and has been remanded in police custody.u00a0According to Jackson, the purpose of their visit was to explain the Bidves about developments in the case so far. "We went through the last moments of Anuj's life with them as we understand them to be from the investigation.u00a0

This is particularly important in this case and in our view best done in a face-to-face meeting. We met the family last night for several hours and were able to fill in some gaps in the understanding of the events that led to Anuj's tragic death. Because legal proceedings are now taking place, it is very difficult and wrong for us to comment further," added Jackson.u00a0

Anuj's cousin sister Suruchi Wagh-Gundecha also addressed the media and said that the family plans to fly to the UK in the coming two to three days, the date for which will be announced soon.u00a0Both GMP and Suruchi were tightlipped and refused to answer any further questions from the media. The UK police had come to India on January 1 to meet with the Bidve family.u00a0

Anuj was a postgraduate student at the Lancaster University who was mysteriously shot from behind in the head in Salford, Manchester. The day also happened to be Boxing Day in the in the Manchester town. The UK cops have also announced a euro 50,000 (Rs 34, 69,945) reward for information on the suspect.