The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Mystery shrouds death of newly-wed milk vendor

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 17, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Mystery shrouds death of newly-wed milk vendor

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, MAY 16. A milk vendor, Janardhan (25), who got married three days ago, was found dead on Sunday in suspicious circumstances with his body hanging from an iron beam of his farmhouse shed at Goudelli village in Medchal.

Though it appeared to be a case of suicide, the fact that victim's legs and hands were found tied with ropes raised suspicions of foul play.

"In some cases, it is not abnormal to find the victims themselves tying their hands and legs. They do this deliberately to make sure they are hanged to death," the Medchal Inspector, R. Sudarshan, said. The police sent the body for post-mortem after registering a case of suspicious death.

A resident of Gundlapochampally, Janardhan got married three days ago and a reception was supposed to be held at his house on Sunday evening. Janardhan went to the farmhouse in the morning saying he would arrange water and fodder for the cattle. His father, Satyanarayana, grew suspicious as Janardhan failed to return even around 2 p.m.

When Janardhan's brother-in-law, Shiva Kumar, went to the farmhouse, the body was found hanging from the beam. The beam was 10 feet above from the ground. "Initially, we had doubts as the victim's feet were touching the ground. In case of a murder, generally, the killers pull back the hands and tie them down. Here, the hands were not pulled back," the Alwal ACP, P. Rama Rao, said.

Investigating authorities said the victim might have fastened his legs and hands, wrapped the rope around neck and jumped up by lifting the legs. "We are seeking opinion from forensic experts," Mr. Sudarshan said.

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