Skeletal remains found in Bhayander nullah, cops to conduct DNA tests

Residents of Shirdi Nagar in Bhayander were in for a grotesque shock on Thursday morning, as parts of a human skeleton, including the skull, were found in a drain. The Navghar police are scrambling to solve the suspected murder of a man and are in the process of conducting DNA tests.

The skull and bones were found in the densely populated district of Bhayander (E) when labourers from the civic body chanced upon them while cleaning the nullah.

Police investigating the incident are checking the missing persons records, and said that the age of the victim was between 25 and 30 years.

A Navghar police officer said that cops suspect the skeletal remains to be that of a man, gauging by the type of clothing they had found.

"The body was covered in a cloth and we found a black sandal next to it. We suspect that the man was murdered and dumped in the nullah to destroy his identity," said the officer, adding: "We have conducted a panchnama and have kept the belongings of the deceased in a sealed bag."

Lakshman Dhane, investigation officer, Navghar police said: "For now, we have registered a case of accidental death. After we receive the confirmation about the death through the forensic and DNA tests, we will register the case under IPC Sections 302 (murder) and 201 (destroying evidence)."