Man Charged With Boxing Day Murder of Indian Student in Salford

2 January 2012, 08:32 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A man has been charged with the murder of Indian student Anuj Bidve in Salford. He was shot in the early hours of Boxing Day as he walked with friends along Ordsall Lane.

A man has been charged with the murder of Indian student Anuj Bidve.

Anuj was shot shortly before 1.35am on Monday 26 December 2011, as he walked along Ordsall Lane, Salford.

He was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries but died a short time later.

Kiaran Mark Stapleton (28/01/1991), from the Ordsall area has been charged with murder.

He is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 2 January 2012.

Three other people who were arrested on suspicion of murder have been bailed until March 2012 pending further inquiries. A fourth man, aged 19, has had his bail cancelled.

Assistant Chief Constable Dawn Copley, who has overall command for the operation, said: "This remains a complex investigation and the fact we have charged someone does not mean the investigation is complete.

“As such, we are still asking for the public to contact us with any information they may have, and there remains a £50,000 reward outstanding.

“Anuj’s family, who are still in India, have been made aware we have charged someone in relation to Anuj’s murder and officers from GMP are currently en route to India to support the family in person.

“We know that the family are extremely distressed that Anuj’s body has not yet been returned to them. We have been in close contact with the coroner, who is anxious to release Anuj’s body to his family at the earliest possible time.

“The defence team has the right to apply for a second post mortem and following charging, this discussion is now taking place between the coroner and the defence.

“We will continue our high visibility presence in the Ordsall area and again I urge the local community to continue talking to us. So far we have received a fantastic response and this needs to continue.”