Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Mar 28: The body of an unidentified man was found lying on the banks of River Netravati near Halegetu area of Uppinangady on Sunday, March 27. The man is suspected to have been murdered before being dumped at the spot.

After locals came across the body which was lying face down, police were informed. Uppinangady police visited the spot. During inspection, injury marks were found on the face of the victim and there were blood stains on his hand. His trousers were found to have been pulled down halfway. On the basis of injury marks, the police have registered a case of murder.

Senior police officials and also a team of forensic experts led by Dr Mahabala Marla of Dr K S Hegde Hospital checked the body for possible clues. The body was later shifted to KS Hegde Hospital for postmortem.

The man is well-built, and his age is estimated to be around 45 to 50. Brown trousers and white shirt with black lines were found on the body. A pair of slippers of Paragon company make were found to have been placed neatly some distance away. A 180 ml liquor bottle was also found lying nearby. The pockets of the trousers and shirt did not contain any documents but for Rs 200 in cash.

Although the area where the body was found is near national highway 75, vehicular traffic remains thin after midnight. As the river bank is located at a lower level, passersby do not observe what is happening near the river. Possibly the man died on Saturday night or early morning on Sunday.

Additional superintendent of polcie, Vincent Shantakumar, assistant superintendent of police (ASP), C B Rishvanth, probationary ASP, Laxman Limbargi, Uppinaagady station house officer, Thimmappa Naik and others visited the spot and examined various theories from different angles and also about steps to identify the deceased. Rural police circle inspector here, Anil S Kulkarni, has taken up investigation.