Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 16: The body of a private bus conductor was found near Indira Canteen in the State Bank area here, in what appears to be a case of murder.

The deceased has been identified as Rajesh (30), who worked as a conductor on a private bus operating between Mangaluru and Vittal. Initial suspicions suggest that Rajesh may have been killed during a scuffle or while resisting a robbery, as his attackers are believed to have struck him with a stone.

Rajesh's hometown and relatives remain unknown to his colleagues. Described as a simple and friendly individual, Rajesh was known to wear the traditional ‘maale’ garb and visit the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple every year, according to his friends.

The assault with a stone left his body severely injured. Pandeshwar police have registered a case, and his body has been sent to Wenlock Hospital's mortuary. The investigation into the incident is in progress.