Kerala - Alappuzha   

Misidentification of body: probe team formed

ALAPPUZHA: The Ambalapuzha police have constituted a team to probe the death of Saju, 30, whose body was misidentified and cremated by the relatives of another person.

The body of Saju, a native of Nedumangadu, was first mistaken to be that of one Praveen Kumar, a native of Aluva. Mr. Kumar’s relatives had identified the body and cremated it at their home at Kalady. However, with Mr. Kumar returning home and Saju’s relatives recognizing the photograph flashed in the media, the case was considered closed on Saturday by the police.

Now, with Saju’s relatives expressing doubts over the circumstances that led to his death and the fact that his car was found in an abandoned state near the Ambalapuzha temple, the police are probing the death.

According to the police, a scientific team will examine the car on Monday. A fingerprint expert had already examined the car on Sunday.

“Actually, there are two eye-witnesses in Thakazhi who saw Saju walking on to the track just before the train passed through that area on January 2. So there is very little doubt that it is a suicide. However, as the relatives have lodged a complaint, we are leaving no chances,” Ambalapuzha Circle Inspector of Police Rajendran said.

A police team from Alappuzha accompanied the relatives of Saju to Mr. Kumar’s house in Kalady on Sunday to receive the urn of ashes.

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