Indian student’s death a ‘hate crime’

POLICE investigating the murder of an Indian student are “not ruling out a racial motive” and say the killing is being classed as a “hate crime”.

Anuj Bidve, 23, was gunned down as he walked with friends near their hotel in Salford, Greater Manchester, early on Boxing Day.

Chief Superintendent Kevin Mulligan said yesterday: “We have not established a clear motive for the senseless murder of Anuj, and there is no definitive evidence pointing to it being racially-motivated.

“However, we are treating this as a hate crime, based on the growing perceptions within the community it was motivated by hate.”

Greater Manchester Police said a 20-year-old man was arrested in the early hours yesterday. A 16-year-old boy, two boys aged 17 and a 19-year-old are also being held on suspicion of murder.