The recovery of a decomposed, unidentified man’s body near Kelu Charan Park in Bhubaneswar’s Gadakana locality has triggered a foul-play investigation, with police examining CCTV footage and awaiting post-mortem findings to establish the cause of death.
The remains were found in a secluded area close to the boundary wall of a Railway Protection Force campus on Wednesday. The location, surrounded by dense bushes and trees, reportedly sees little human movement. Residents and visitors to the park alerted police after a foul smell began emanating from the area.
Deputy commissioner of police Saravana Vivek M visited the site and supervised the investigation. He said the body appeared to have been there for several days because of the advanced stage of decomposition. Police are investigating all possible angles, including homicide, while cautioning that the precise cause of death can be determined only after the post-mortem examination.
Parts of the remains had turned black and some bones were visible. Residents suspected that an attempt may have been made to burn the body to destroy evidence, but police have not confirmed that account. The condition of the remains and the circumstances of the death are expected to be assessed through forensic and scientific examination.
A team from the local Mancheswar police station, along with forensic and scientific personnel, examined the site and collected evidence. Investigators are also checking CCTV footage from surrounding areas to establish how the body reached the location and whether any suspicious movement was recorded near the park or the RPF campus.
The police have not yet identified the deceased. Photographs and details of the body have been circulated to nearby police stations, while investigators are examining missing-person records in an effort to establish the man’s identity. The identification process is expected to help determine his movements and possible links before the body was found.
The incident has also drawn attention to the challenges of monitoring isolated pockets around public spaces, particularly areas shielded by vegetation or institutional boundary walls. In this case, the discovery depended on residents noticing the smell rather than on routine surveillance or visible activity in the secluded stretch. Police have not announced any arrests or identified a suspect. The investigation will proceed after the post-mortem and forensic examination establish the condition and cause of death.
