Anuj Bidve's family visit Salford murder scene

Subhash (second right) and Yogini Bidve visit the spot where Anuj Bidve was killed in Salford (Reuters)

The parents of an Indian engineering student who was shot dead on Boxing Day re-traced the final moments of their son's life today.

Anuj Bidve, 23, was shot in the head at point-blank range as he walked along Ordsall Lane in Salford with friends.

Today his parents paid an emotional visit to Ordsall Lane, where tributes and flowers had been left in memory of their son.

Father Subhash Bidve and mother Yogini visited the scene after first going to the Salford hotel room where Anuj stayed on his visit to the city.

The room at the Salford Etap hotel has not been in use since the death of Anuj at the request of the police, acting on behalf of the family.

Yesterday the Bidves picked up their son's belongings from Lancaster University, where he had been studying, and met his friends and tutors.

Addressing a huge number of television, print and radio journalists on Ordsall Lane, which was blocked off by police, Mr Bidve said: "We have made the journey from India in order to see Anuj, see the place where he died, and most importantly take Anuj home with us.

"Whilst in England we have taken the opportunity to meet a number of other people who were involved in Anuj's life and to achieve our goal of taking Anuj back home with us as soon as possible.

"As you can imagine, this has been an exceedingly difficult journey to make.

"When Anuj left India in September last year he was full of hope and ambition for the future. We were all so very proud of him.

"Anuj was our only son and we cannot comprehend this dreadful tragedy."

Mr Bidve said the family have been "deeply moved" and have taken comfort from the hundreds of messages they have received from the people of Salford and Lancaster, and especially the Indian community.

After addressing the media, the family, who were visibly upset, spent around 40 minutes at the scene.

They laid flowers and a wreath and then prayed.

At the request of the family, the cameras were turned off while this happened.

Following the visit the family were taken to a meeting at Salford Town Hall, where they met civic and police leaders.

They are due to take Anuj's body home to India tonight.

It is understood Anuj and his friends were on their way to the early-morning Next sale in Manchester.

Mr Bidve called for justice for his son yesterday following a visit to Parliament after meeting Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz.

Mr and Mrs Bidve and brother-in-law Rakesh Sonawane met Mr Vaz for about 35 minutes after flying into the UK on Wednesday.

Kiaran Stapleton, 20, of Ordsall, has been charged with Anuj's murder.

PA