Shahdol, June 3 (IANS) An 81-year-old retired bank official was found dead under suspicious circumstances at his residence in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol district on Wednesday. Police are suspecting murder based on preliminary findings at the scene as the elderly man’s body was found in a naked state with deep injury marks on it.

The deceased, identified as Jagdish Prasad Mishra, lived alone in a house located on the main road near Balpurwa Bus Stand under the jurisdiction of Kotwali police station.

The incident came to light on Wednesday morning when a house help who regularly visited the house to prepare meals arrived and found Mishra lying motionless inside the main room.

Alarmed by the condition of the body, she immediately informed neighbours, who subsequently alerted the police.

Senior police officials, including forensic experts, rushed to the spot and began a detailed examination of the scene.

The house was cordoned off while evidence was collected.

City Superintendent of Police (CSP), Rajendra Mohan Dubey, said that initial observations strongly indicate foul play.

“Prima facie, the matter appears to be a case of murder,” CSP Dubey told reporters while explaining the circumstances under which the body was found.

According to the officer, Mishra was discovered in a nude state and bore deep injury marks on several parts of his body.

These injuries, police believe, are significant indicators that the death may not have occurred naturally.

“The elderly man was found in a nude state, and deep injury marks were visible on various parts of his body. Such findings point toward foul play,” Dubey said, adding that investigators are treating the case with utmost seriousness.

Police, however, have not yet established the motive behind the suspected killing. Investigators are examining multiple angles, including the possibility of theft or robbery, considering that Mishra lived alone and may have been vulnerable to criminal elements.

“The investigation is proceeding by taking all possible angles into consideration,” the CSP said.

He added that the exact cause of death would only be confirmed after the post-mortem examination and further forensic analysis. No arrests have been made so far. Police teams have intensified enquiries in the area, scrutinising local movements and gathering information from residents as the investigation continues.

–IANS

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