The family of 23-year-old Anuj Bidve, an Indian student studying in the United Kingdom who was shot dead in Manchester on December 26, is fast losing hope of getting the body back soon. After being initially told that the process would take two to four weeks, the family was informed on Wednesday that the time could be indefinite, owing to the investigation procedure.
“The Manchester police and the authorities at the Indian embassy have told us that it will take a minimum of 10 days, but the process can be indefinite. The body has to undergo a second round of post-mortem,” Anuj's brother-in-law Rakesh Sonawane told The Hindu . Though four arrests had been made in the case so far, charges were yet to be framed.
Mr. Sonawane said that he along with Anuj's father Subhash Bidve would be going to the U.K. soon to try and expedite the process. “We are applying for a visa on Thursday, and we are hoping to bring Anuj's body back with us,” he said.
Time ‘unreasonable'
The family felt that the time required was “unreasonable.” Mr. Subhash Bidve has written to External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna. “I appeal to you and the Ministry of External Affairs to speak to the U.K. government to expedite the process of getting Anuj's body back to India. Such processes can take longer but the family's emotional trauma will continue till we perform the last rites,” the letter stated, adding that waiting for the body after such an unfortunate incident was taking an emotional toll on the family.
Mr. Bidve also appealed to the Maharashtra government to come forward and help in getting the body back as soon as possible. Mr. Sonawane stated that he would urge the U.K. officials to work during the weekend in the wake of the holiday season and “help to get justice for Anuj.”
“We are still hoping that things would be speeded up,” Mr. Sonawane stated. Anuj is survived by his parents, sister Nehal and Mr. Sonawane.
