Anuj Bidve's family visits parliament
Friday, 06 January, 2012 12:19:18 AM
The father of an Indian engineering student shot and killed on Boxing Day has said he sent his son to England because he wanted the best for him. Subhash Bidve called for justice for his son Anuj Bidve outside Parliament after meeting with Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz.
Mr Bidve, together with Anuj's mother Yogini and brother-in-law Rakesh Sonawane, met with Mr Vaz for about 35 minutes after flying into the UK on Wednesday. The family is due to return to India with Anuj's body on Friday.
Kiaran Stapleton, 20, of Ordsall, has been charged with his murder.
Mr Bidve said: "It was really unfortunate that I lost my son, but I feel myself as a father this should not happen again because a lot of Indian students come here for their education and they go back to their own countries.
"I humbly request to you all kindly do justice for Anuj and kindly make sure that students who come here for their studies, they have their own studies and go back to their own countries.
"He was a very great asset not just to India but the whole globe, that was the kind of work he was doing. He was really straightforward, very disciplined, very softly spoken and very friendly to everyone and a very good son to me. I wanted to give him the best. As a father that's what I wanted."
Mr Vaz said: "There are many people who have contacted me who wish to acknowledge the memory of Anuj and express their sadness as to what has happened. I have therefore asked them to contact the family direct. They are very keen to set up a fund - not the family but the people who have contacted us - to honour the memory of Anuj and to help the family."
Mr Vaz called on Facebook to reopen Anuj's home page at the request of his family. He said Anuj's parents felt this was the only way many people could leave tributes and express condolences for their son, and contact them directly. Mr Vaz said he would be contacting Facebook later to pass on the request directly.
And Mr Vaz pledged to get a full report on the incidents surrounding the death of Mr Bidve following the completion of the criminal proceedings. He said it was needed to help the family get closure.
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