Indian murder case accused bailed

A judge at the High Court in Mumbai said that there were inconsistencies in the investigation into Stephen Bennett's death in December 2006.

The 40-year-old's family say they are now desperately worried about the future of the case.

It has been claimed that Mr Bennett was killed when he strayed into a village and tried to molest a woman.

But his family claim he was abducted and that his death was made to look like a suicide after his body was found hanging from this tree.

'Bail hearing'

The four men charged with murder have been bailed for 25,000 rupees - just over £300 after their lawyer told the High Court in Mumbai that the police case was "flimsy".

Mr Bennett's brother Paul told BBC News: "I feel sick about it. Stephen has been let down, big time.

"I think the authorities in India are shambolic and a disgrace. We weren't even told there was to be a bail hearing."

Mr Bennett's family are now calling on the British government to intervene in the case.

They maintain the former actor was kidnapped and killed on his way to Malsai and then hanged with a sari from a mango tree in the village in an attempt to make it look like suicide.

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