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London: The UK police said on Thursday that the murder of Indian student Anuj Bidve was most likely a hate crime. Bidve, a Lancaster University student, was apparently murdered on Monday for not telling the time.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs has agreed to meet the return travel expenses to UK of 2 family members of slain Indian student Anuj Bidve and agreed to foot the bill for all expenses regarding the transportation of his body from Manchester.

The Lancaster University, where Bidve was studying, has also agreed to return his tuition fees to the family.

The Indian High Commission to the UK had on Wednesday assured to provide all possible help in expediting the process of repatriation of his body to India.

Extending all possible help to the bereaved family of Bidve, who was shot dead in Manchester on December 26, the consulate General of India in Birmingham and the Indian High Commission said that they were "deeply" saddened at the "unfortunate" and tragic killing.

The High Commission said in a statement, "The High Commission of India is deeply saddened at the unfortunate and tragic killing of Anuj Bidve, an Indian student studying at the Lancaster University in the early hours of December 26.

"Following this unfortunate incident, senior officials from the Consulate General of India, Birmingham have been in touch with the Greater Manchester Police authorities and also the bereaved family members in Pune.

"Our shock and concern at the horrific incident has been conveyed to the authorities investigating the case along with the strong expectation that the perpetrators of the ghastly crime would be brought to justice at the earliest."

The High Commission also conveyed family’s apprehension over the possible delay in repatriation of the body to India due to the ongoing investigation.

"The concerned authorities have also been suitably sensitised about the family’s wish to have the dead body repatriated to India at the earliest. The authorities have assured us of full cooperation.

"The High Commission of India understands that in cases of this nature, a second inquest may be necessary, including with a view to strengthening the case of the prosecution. The High Commission of India hopes that this process will be completed at the earliest, so that the body could be released and repatriated to India in consonance with the request of the bereaved family."

The British police, as of now, has arrested four persons in connection with the killing of Bidve, who died following an "unprovoked" attack on Monday.

Bidve was with nine other Indian students when he was shot by two white men after a short conversation.

Hailing from Pune, Bidve was a postgraduate student of Microelectronics at Lancaster University and was visiting friends in Manchester during the Christmas holidays when he was gunned down.

In a statement, Bidve’s family has said his death had left "a void in our lives."

The High Commission said that it has also requested for support from Bidve’s university.

"The Lancaster University authorities have also been requested by the Consulate General of India to provide necessary support and care to the friends of the deceased who were present at the time of the tragic incident."

The response of the Lancaster University has been sympathetic and supportive, the statement said.