Bhubaneswar, Aug. 22: The police today recovered an unidentified body from the footpath on Janapath near the Satya Nagar crematorium.

A youth, around 30 years old, was found dead with his belongings lying scattered on the road. The Kharavela Nagar police have seized an attaché filled with clothes, an airbag, a cellphone and the purse of the deceased from the spot.

The police said the circumstances showed that it was a murder case. Someone might have killed the youth while trying to loot. However, his identity could not be established till late evening.

Local vendors said they had seen the youth in that area around six days ago. “I had seen him sleeping on the footpath few days ago with his suitcase and airbag beside him,” said a betel shop owner.

The police said they suspected someone might have killed the man in the lane beside an under-construction house and dragged the body to the footpath and dumped it there.

“We have got the mobile phone and are trying to establish its ownership. Moreover, we are checking the purse of the deceased,” said deputy commissioner of police Nitinjeet Singh.

However, the police sources said the cops had got some clues to confirm the identity of the person, but they were not disclosing it. “He belonged to Niali in Cuttack and had been staying in a rented house at Unit IX,” said the police source.

A senior police officer said they suspected the involvement of a known criminal at Unit IX.

“Raids are on. A police team has already visited Niali to establish the youth’s identity,” said the officer.

Local residents were terrified after the incident. “How can someone be killed near a road that always remains busy and where police patrolling is frequent,” said Somanath Nayak, a local resident.