Stephan Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod

Kasargod, Apr 11: The body of an auto-rickshaw driver from Mulky, who had gone missing on Wednesday, was discovered late Thursday night in a deserted well at Kunjattur Padu near Manjeshwar, raising suspicions of murder. The deceased has been identified as Koylna Dinna Muhammad Sharif (52) from Mulky.

Sharif had left home on Wednesday morning, as usual, along with his auto rickshaw but did not return home that evening. When repeated calls to his mobile phone went unanswered, his wife filed a missing person complaint with the police.

As investigations progressed, his body was found on Thursday night in a well located in the Kunjattur Padu area near the Kerala-Karnataka border. His auto rickshaw was also found abandoned nearby. Authorities are expected to recover the body this morning and conduct a post-mortem examination.

Upon receiving the news, Sharif's family and relatives rushed to Manjeshwar. The police have informed that a dog squad and forensic experts will arrive at the location this morning to gather evidence, after which the body will be retrieved.

Sources indicate that illegal gambling activities are being carried out in the area. Police are probing whether Sharif was killed due to disputes related to gambling, or if he was lured to the location by drug addicts hired to carry out the act. A detailed investigation is underway.