Kosagumuda: The decomposed body of a youth was found in a pond under mysterious circumstances with a large stone tied to his neck near Nuaguda village under Kodinga police limits and Kosagumuda block in Nabarangpur, today.

The deceased was identified as 45-year-old Ramesh Kumbhar, who belonged to Kandhaguda village of Kangra panchayat under Tentulikhunti police limits of the district.

According to an official source, some locals spotted the body and later informed police about it.

Kodinga police and Kosagumuda fire services personnel reached the spot and fished out the youth’s body. During the recovery of the body, it was known that the stone was tied with the help of a towel. Taking the matter seriously, a scientific team along with Papadahandi SDPO Aditya Sen and Kodinga Inspector-in-charge (IIC) Jugal Sabar later reached the pond and launched a detailed probe.

“Ramesh had come to his father-in-law’s house at Singiguda village under Kodinga police limits a few days ago. However, he had gone missing since August 15. His body being found in a pond has raised the suspicion that he might have been killed by someone,” some locals expressed.

Following the recovery of Ramesh’s body, his elder brother Ganapati Kumbhar lodged an FIR alleging that his sibling has been murdered. The body was handed over to the deceased’s family members after a post-mortem was done at a nearby health facility.