British MPs call on Anuj Bidve's family

On Saturday, two British Members of Parliament, Keith Vaz, and Hazel Anne Blears, called on Anuj Bidve’s family in Pune assuring them of fullest co-operation from the UK government in the murder investigations of the micro-engineering student at Lancaster University.

Three British police officials will also visit Pune on Monday to meet the Bidve family, said Rakesh Sonawane, Anuj’s brother-in-law.
Anuj (23), a Chandannagar resident, was celebrating Christmas with friends in Salford, Greater Manchester, on December 26, when a white man shot him dead for refusing to tell the time.

Five people were arrested in four days after the incident, but three were released on bail on Friday, while two suspects remain in custody.

“The MPs told us that the case was being taken very seriously at the British Parliament. They have asked for a report on investigations into the case and have assured us that they would extend every possible help to us. In fact, they have asked us to meet them when we go to Greater Manchester,” said Sonawane.

He added that the MPs informed them that a reward of 50,000 pounds had been announced for any information on the culprits.
“They informed us that three police officers from Greater Manchester would meet the family on January 2,”  he said.

“The investigation still appears to be in early stages. Certain medical examinations are to be conducted on Anuj’s body on Tuesday. The year-end holidays might delay some of these formalities, which is a cause of worry for us. Besides, we don’t yet know when the body will be handed over to us,” said Sonawane.

Meanwhile, Anuj’s father and Sonawane received their visas and his mother’s visa is expected on January 3.

“We are taking the late night flight to Manchester on January 3,” he said.