The Punjab & Haryana High Court has instructed the Punjab Government to carry out a "second postmortem" of Anuj Kumar, who was involved in the shooting incident outside actor Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai.

Under the guidance of Justice Vinod S. Bharadwaj, the court rendered this verdict subsequent to Kumar's purported suicide while in the custody of the Mumbai Police's crime branch.

Anuj Kumar's case gained significant public attention due to the circumstances surrounding his death while in police custody. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the court took into account the concerns voiced by Kumar's mother, Reeta Devi, regarding the circumstances of her son's passing. Devi, hailing from a village in Punjab, had emphasized the need for a prompt hearing of the case as Kumar's body awaited a new postmortem examination at home.

The petitioner underscored the necessity for a fresh postmortem, expressing suspicions of foul play in Kumar's demise. The argument emphasized that conducting a new examination of the deceased's body was crucial to eliminate any potential for unfair practices and to facilitate the petitioner in seeking appropriate recourse if discrepancies were uncovered in the investigation. The plea also raised apprehensions regarding the role of the police in Kumar's death, citing statements made by influential figures prior to his passing.

In response to the plea, the court carefully considered arguments presented by both parties, taking into account the petitioner's concerns and noting the absence of significant objections from the State.

Ultimately, the court decided to dispose of the plea, instructing Devi to transfer her son's body to Guru Gobind Singh Medical College in Faridkot by May 10 for the required examination. Advocate Davinder Singh Khurana represented the petitioners, while Harpriya Khaneka, Deputy Advocate General (DAG) of Punjab, represented the state during the proceedings.

Cause title: Reeta Devi v State of Punjab [CWP-10810-2024]