Salman Khan firing case: Bombay HC orders removal of actor’s name in custodial death of accused case

In a significant development, the Bombay High Court has directed the removal of Salman Khan’s name from a petition seeking a CBI probe into the custodial death of Anuj Thapan. Thapan, accused in the firing case at the house of Salman Khan, was found dead on May 1 inside the toilet of the crime branch police lock-up. Police officials claimed it was suicide, but Thapan’s mother, Rita Devi, alleged foul play in a petition filed on May 3, claiming he was killed.

HC orders to remove the name of Salman Khan from the plea

On Monday, a division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Shyam Chandak instructed Rita Devi to delete Khan’s name from the petition. “Delete his name. Petitioner seeks leave to amend the petition to delete the name of respondent 4 as there is no pleading against him and no relief sought against him,” the court stated. The bench questioned the necessity of including Khan in the plea, asserting, “What is the point of making a person who is supposed to be the victim a party respondent? We see no reason why respondent 4 (Salman Khan) should continue to be in this plea. He is not a necessary party.”

Rita Devi sought a CBI probe into her son’s death, alleging he was physically assaulted and tortured by police in custody. Initially, she had included the Sikandar actor as a respondent. However, the High Court found no allegations against the actor in the plea, emphasising that the focus should be on Thapan’s death. The bench remarked, “By doing this, you are digressing from the core issue which should be your concern.”

Petitioner’s advocate, Nishant Rana, argued that while they did not seek relief against Khan, he should still be part of the CID probe into Thapan’s death. The court, however, left that decision to the investigating agency. Additional public prosecutor Prajakta Shinde informed the court of an initiated magistrate inquiry and a CID status report.

The court also addressed a summons issue, instructing the Magistrate to issue a fresh summons to Rita Devi to ensure timely appearance. The case is scheduled for further hearing after six weeks.

Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal were arrested in connection with the firing incident outside Salman Khan’s house. Thapan was arrested later in Punjab.

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