Dhenkanal, Sept. 6: Tension prevailed at Saranga, 60 kilometres from here, after the handcuffed body of a youth, aged around 30, was found on the Brahmani river bed yesterday.

The deceased is yet to be identified. The handcuffed body has aroused the suspicion of a custodial death. The body bore no external injury and there was no water in the stomach when police examined it. The police registered it as a murder case.

“We have registered a case of murder,” said a local police officer. The deceased was found in blue jeans and T-shirt. The handcuff bears number 115. “From the handcuff number, we are trying to trace the culprits,” said the officer.

Local people believe that the victim might have been killed either by police, excise or forest officials. Such handcuffs are available only with the law-enforcing agencies.

However, the police said criminals could have murdered the youth and later handcuffed him to mislead the investigation.

“It is a mysterious case. Nothing can be definitely said till the victim’s identity is established. However, it appears to be a clear case of murder. The killers must have thrown the body into the river. Preliminary investigation indicates that the youth was killed three days ago. We are awaiting the post-mortem report,” said inspector in charge of Parjanga police station Damodar Sankhual.

“Once the victim’s identification is made, we will be able to properly pursue the investigation. We are also sending the body’s photographs to other police stations and local media. It is too early to say whether it is a custodial death or anything else,” said Dhenkanal superintendent of police Manoranjan Mahanty.