Mumbai, Dec 13 (PTI): Bodies of two persons, including a woman, were found in separate cardboard boxes lying near a drain in suburban Mumbai, police said today.

Three persons have been detained in this connection, they said adding that a probe has been launched into this suspected case of 'double murder'.

The bodies were recovered last evening from the cardboard boxes, which were found lying near a nullah (drain) in Morekar wadi-Dhanukarwadi close to the cremation ground behind Thakur International School in suburban Kandivali, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Detection Dhananjay Kulkarni said.

The bodies, identified as that of artist (painter) Hema Upadhyay and advocate Harish Bhambhani, were later sent for autopsy, said Chimaji Aadhav, senior inspector of Unit 11 of the Mumbai crime branch.

Both the bodies were found with their hands and legs tied with ropes inside the boxes, police said.

Meanwhile, three persons have been detained in this connection and are being questioned, police said adding that a case has been registered in this connection.