Engineer found dead at Sector 23 residence

The police said the exact cause of death will be ascertained only after the postmortem report comes,but preliminary investigations hint at it being a case of suicide or the man died of cardiac arrest.

The police control room received a call at 9 am,following which a team reached the spot and found the door locked from inside. They then broke open the rear door and recovered the maggot-infested body of Ranjit. The body was lying on the bed and utensils were found near the body suggesting he was having food before he died. No suicide note was found from the spot.

The body was decomposed beyond recognition; the police ascertained his identity and found he was working with PUDA in Phase IX,Mohali.

Neighbours told the police that Ranjit had been living alone in the house for many years and was very reserved. They also said he used to go to the temple often. He was not seen in the area for the last four-five days.

The police then contacted his sister in Amritsar and informed her about the death. She told the police that her brother was living alone; he had married in 1991,but had legally separated from his wife many years ago.

The police shifted the body to the Sector-16 hospital where postmortem would be conducted on Saturday. Meanwhile,the police have initiated inquest proceedings under section 174 CrPC.

The police said his parents are no more and he is survived by a brother and sister.

“As per preliminary investigations,foul play is ruled out; but the exact cause will be clear only after postmortem. He used to pay very few visits to his family and used to stay confined. It could be either a case of suicide or heart attack as the door was locked from inside,” said ASP Central Deshraj Singh.