On Saturday, the cause of his death was reserved in the post-mortem report. The viscera will be sent for chemical analysis to the state forensic lab. Hiren’s family initially refused to accept his body and relented only after senior police officers intervened.
A senior police officer said the post-mortem report revealed Hiren might have died 12-24 hours before the autopsy was conducted at 7.45pm on Friday.
Sandeep Khambe, a family friend of Hiren’s, demanded a free and fair probe into his death.
Sam Newton, who is the owner of the SUV according to the state home minister, resides in Kopri. “During the lockdown Newton regularly helped cops and even arranged refreshments,” said Avinash Jadhav, MNS Thane district chief. Jadhav said he had tried to contact him but he did not take calls.