Mangaluru: An unidentified man aged around 40 to 45 years was found dead under suspicious circumstances in a lodge in the city, prompting the police to register a case at Bunder police station and launch an investigation to ascertain his identity and the cause of death.
According to police sources, the deceased had checked into a lodge in the Bunder area on December 26, providing the name “Mani” at the time of admission. Lodge records indicate that he had been staying alone in the room since then and had not raised any complaints or requested assistance during his stay.
Body found unresponsive in lodge room
The incident came to light on the morning of December 31, when lodge staff noticed that the man had not come out of his room for a prolonged period. When staff members attempted to speak to him, they found him lying on the bed on the floor of the room and unresponsive.
Suspecting that something was wrong, the lodge staff immediately alerted their superiors and arranged to shift the man to Wenlock Hospital for medical attention. However, doctors at the hospital declared that he had already died before being brought in.
Following the confirmation of death, hospital authorities informed the Bunder police, who arrived at the hospital and later visited the lodge to inspect the room and collect preliminary information.
Case registered at Bunder police station
Based on the information received, Bunder police have registered a case of suspicious death and initiated further investigation. Police officials said that as of now, no visible signs of struggle or immediate evidence pointing to foul play have been confirmed, but all possibilities are being examined.
“The man was staying alone in the lodge and was found unresponsive. Since his identity is not known and the circumstances of death are unclear, we have registered a case and are investigating,” a police officer said.
The body has been shifted for post-mortem examination, which is expected to provide clarity on the exact cause of death. The police are awaiting the post-mortem report to determine whether the death was due to natural causes or involved any other factors.
Description of the deceased released
In an effort to trace the identity of the deceased, the police have released a detailed description. The man is believed to be approximately 5.8 feet tall and dark-complexioned. A black mark was observed on his chest, and a red thread was tied on his right hand.
At the time he was found, he was wearing a brown T-shirt and light blue jeans. Police said these identifying features could help family members, friends or acquaintances recognise him.
Officials added that no valid identity documents were recovered from the lodge room, making it difficult to confirm his name, address or place of origin.
Efforts on to trace identity
Police teams are now checking missing persons records in Mangaluru and neighbouring districts to see if any matching descriptions have been reported. They are also verifying CCTV footage from the lodge premises and surrounding areas to trace the movements of the deceased before his death.
Investigators are questioning lodge staff to understand the man’s behaviour during his stay, including whether he received any visitors or appeared unwell in the days leading up to the incident. Police are also attempting to trace the booking details, including the mode of payment used to check into the lodge.
“We are examining all available records and footage. At this stage, identifying the deceased is our priority,” a senior police official said.
Police appeal to the public
The police have appealed to the public to come forward with any information that could help identify the deceased. Anyone who recognises the description or has information about a man who had been missing since late December is requested to contact Bunder police station immediately.
Officials said that timely information from the public could help establish the identity of the deceased and assist in informing his family members. The police have assured that all information shared will be treated with confidentiality.
Conclusion
The mysterious death of the unidentified man in a city lodge has raised concerns and underscores the importance of maintaining proper identification records at lodging facilities. As investigations continue, police are hopeful that public cooperation and forensic findings will provide answers to the unanswered questions surrounding the case. Further details are expected once the post-mortem report is received and the identity of the deceased is established.