Mangaluru: Police exhumed the body of an 86-year-old man for a post-mortem examination on October 9, nearly three months after his death, following a complaint alleging foul play. The case concerns Albert Rego, a resident of Kottara First Cross, whose death on July 19 has come under scrutiny after a family friend approached the police with suspicions about the circumstances surrounding it.

The exhumation was carried out at Derebail Church cemetery under the supervision of the Mangaluru tahsildar, following court orders. Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) officials collected samples from the remains for examination. Investigators are awaiting the post-mortem findings to help establish the cause of death.

Complaint prompts investigation into death

The complaint was filed by Herald Pereira, a family friend of Albert Rego, at Urwa police station. Rego died on July 19, and Pereira subsequently raised suspicions about the circumstances of his death.

According to the complaint, Rego had been in good health before his death. The complainant questioned the circumstances in which the last rites were performed and alleged that the burial took place without a post-mortem examination and without adequate information being provided to other family members.

An FIR was registered at Urwa police station on September 5 under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with murder. The case names Rego’s daughter, Maya Rego, following the allegations raised by the complainant.

The allegations remain under investigation, and the circumstances of Rego’s death have not yet been conclusively established. Property dispute alleged in complaint

Pereira’s complaint alleges that Rego faced pressure and harassment over property-related matters, including claims that he was being pressured to transfer property into his daughter’s name.

The complainant has alleged that the death was linked to financial and property disputes and has raised suspicions about the possible involvement of other individuals. The complaint also reportedly raises questions about the conduct of certain people in connection with the death and the subsequent funeral arrangements.

These claims form part of the allegations being examined by investigators. They have not been established as facts, and the investigation is expected to determine whether the suspicions are supported by evidence.

Police are examining the circumstances surrounding Rego’s death, including the issues raised in the complaint and the findings that emerge from the forensic examination.

Forensic examination expected to provide clues

The exhumation was undertaken to enable a post-mortem examination and scientific analysis of the remains. FSL officials collected samples as part of the procedure, while police personnel and local authorities oversaw the process.

A post-mortem examination may help investigators identify injuries or other findings relevant to determining the cause of death. The extent to which the examination can establish what happened will depend on the condition of the remains and the forensic evidence available.

The medical findings are expected to form an important part of the ongoing investigation. Police will need to assess the forensic report alongside witness statements, documentary evidence and other material gathered during the inquiry.

The exhumation, carried out nearly three months after Rego’s death, marks a significant step in the investigation into the complaint.

Police investigation continues

The case remains under investigation by Urwa police. The allegations made by Pereira, including those concerning the reported property dispute and the circumstances of the burial, will have to be examined against the available evidence.

The post-mortem findings are expected to help investigators determine the cause of death and decide what further steps may be required. Until the forensic examination and investigation are completed, the allegations against the people named in the complaint remain unproven.

The case has drawn attention to the importance of investigating suspicious deaths thoroughly when concerns are raised by relatives or others close to the deceased. For now, the focus remains on the forensic evidence and the police inquiry into the death of Albert Rego.