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Anuj Bidve murder: Friends, family turn to Facebook for help

Last updated on: December 28, 2011 17:22 IST
Anuj Bidve

Almost 48 hours after Anuj Bidve's murder in Salford, Greater Manchester, his family is yet to find out a way to bring his body back to India as early as possible.

However, they are extensively making use of social networking sites to get in touch with the authorities and find a way out.

The breakthrough in the Bidve family's ordeal to get Anuj's body back home was made when Mohit Gundecha, married to Anuj's cousin Suruchi, sent a tweet to the Ministry of External Affairs asking for an Indian official in the United Kingdom to help them sort the issue.

A day later, the MEA replied to the tweet and Mohit and a few family members are in touch with Kartar Singh, an Indian embassy official in the UK.

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Anuj Bidve murder: Friends, family turn to Facebook for help

Last updated on: December 28, 2011 17:22 IST
The Justice for Anuj Bidve Facebook page

"Singh is likely to meet the Brimingham coroner to discuss the issue at around 5 pm (India time). We will have better clarity once that meeting is over," said Mohit.

Meanwhile, Facebook is abuzz with the news of Anuj's death and the problems the family is facing -- to get their dear one's dead body back home so that they could perform the last rites -- and pages like Justice for Anuj Bidve, Anuj Bidve - Help Page, Candle March for Anuj Bidve and Peace March for Anuj Bidve have sprung up with a number of supporters already enrolled to do whatever is possible to get Anuj's body back home.

The Anuj Bidve - Help Page has Pune resident Manish Kelkar suggesting that local member of Legislative Assembly Girish Bapat could help the family connect with Rajya Sabha member of Parliament Prakash Javadekar and he in turn could help expedite the matter.

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Anuj Bidve murder: Friends, family turn to Facebook for help

Last updated on: December 28, 2011 17:22 IST
Anuj Bidve

"The matter could be expedited from Delhi and so I have sent an SMS and kept a message for Javadekarji, seeking his assistance in the matter," said Bapat who has suo moto taken note of the issue.

However, since the Rajya Sabha is in session on Wednesday as it votes on the crucial Lokpal Bill that was passed in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

"I am sure the UK consulate in Delhi will help expedite the matter," said Bapat.

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Last updated on: December 28, 2011 17:22 IST

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