Seoni (Madhya Pradesh), July 11 (IANS) The completely charred bodies of a couple, believed to be government schoolteachers, were found inside their locked house in Madhya Pradesh’s Seoni district, prompting police to launch a detailed investigation into the mysterious deaths.

Police suspect the deceased are Malti Dhurve, posted at a government school in Kumhada village under Keolari block, and her husband Saman Singh Dhurve, a teacher posted in Damijhola, Mohbarra.

However, officials said their identities would be confirmed only after DNA testing as the bodies were burnt beyond recognition.

“The bodies were found in a completely charred condition, making visual identification impossible. A forensic team has collected evidence from the spot, and DNA samples of the couple’s children will be matched to establish their identities officially,” police said on Saturday.

According to police, family members and relatives had been unable to contact the couple for the past two days.

When repeated phone calls went unanswered, they reached the house on Friday evening. Finding it locked, they entered the premises and discovered the burnt bodies inside a room.

Police said the bodies were lying on a bed, while the bed, a cooler and several household articles had also been reduced to ashes.

Investigators believe the incident may have occurred nearly two days before the bodies were discovered.

Officials said the intensity of the fire has raised several questions, particularly as the house was locked and no one in the neighbourhood reported noticing the blaze.

The couple’s children, who study outside the town, were not at home at the time of the incident.

“We are investigating every possible angle, including accidental fire, suicide and murder. The exact cause of death and the sequence of events will be known only after the post-mortem examination and forensic reports are received,” a senior police official said.

Teams from the police, fingerprint bureau and Forensic Science Laboratory inspected the scene and collected evidence.

Police said the Ugli police station is carrying out a comprehensive investigation and no possibility has been ruled out at this stage.

Authorities are awaiting forensic and DNA examination reports before drawing any conclusions about the deaths.

–IANS

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