Steephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod
Kasargod, Apr 11: In a chilling incident, the body of a missing auto-rickshaw driver from Mulki was found in a deserted well at Padavu in Kunjathur under Manjeshwar police limits on Thursday night.
The deceased has been identified as Mohammed Sharif (52), a resident of Kolnad, Mulki. Police suspect that he was murdered before his body was dumped into the well.
According to sources, Sharif’s body was retrieved from the well around 10 am on Friday with the help of the fire and emergency services team. His body reportedly bore multiple stab injuries, prompting police to consider the possibility of foul play. The body has been sent to Pariyaram Medical College for post-mortem examination.
The abandoned well is located in a secluded area of Padavu in Kunjathur, near the Kerala-Karnataka border. A suspiciously parked auto near the spot caught the attention of locals. Bloodstains and a slipper were noticed nearby, which led to further investigation. On inspecting the nearby well, locals were shocked to find a body inside.
Manjeshwar police were immediately alerted. Upon investigation, they traced the auto number and confirmed the deceased to be Mohammed Sharif, whose missing person report had been lodged at the Mulki police station.
The police then informed Sharif’s family members, who rushed to the spot and identified the vehicle and the body as his.
Forensic experts, canine squads, and local police teams inspected the crime scene and gathered clues. The fire department team retrieved the decomposed body from the well.
A case of unnatural death has been registered and police are continuing investigations.
Preliminary reports suggest that on Wednesday night, Sharif had picked up three passengers from Mangaluru in his auto. Some witnesses had noticed the individuals boarding the auto and have now shared the information with police. Based on these accounts, investigators are focusing their probe on the identities and whereabouts of these three persons.
It is also reported that Sharif had left home on Wednesday morning as usual with his auto but did not return by nightfall. When his wife failed to contact him over the phone, she filed a missing complaint with the police. During the ongoing search operation, his body was discovered on Thursday night.