Anuj's parents visit site of killing; hope for justice

London, Jan 6: Shattered by what they said was an incomprehensible loss, the parents of slain Indian student Anuj Bidve today hoped the man responsible for the "senseless" killing of their only son would be brought to justice.

As they headed back to India with the body of their son, the distraught parents said they had chosen to send Anuj to the UK, preferring the European nation over other destinations like the US and Australia, believing it would be the safest for him.

However, they said they were "overwhelmed" by the expressions of support from the people, both in the UK and India, and were optimistic about the British police's handling of the case.

"There are no words, the world is finished for us, this is what I can say," a sorrowful Subhash Bidve, the father of the 23-year-old, told reporters in Salford, as his wife stood with him, silently wiping off her tears.

The parents visited the place in Greater Manchester where their son was shot dead on December 26.

Earlier, in a statement, the family said: "We do not blame the people of this city for what happened.

The only person we blame is the man responsible for taking Anuj away from us in such a senseless act of violence on Boxing Day morning".

A 20-year-old youth, called "Psycho Stapleton" has been charged with Anuj's murder and remanded in custody until a plea and case management hearing on March 20.

Three other people arrested on suspicion of Anuj's murder have been granted bail until March pending further inquiries.

A fourth man, aged 19, had his bail cancelled.

The parents, who said they were "shattered" on seeing the body of their son, are set to fly back with it to Pune where the funeral is likely to take place tomorrow evening.

PTI