Charred body found in cashew plantation at Sanguem

SANGUEM: An unidentified charred body with over 90 percent burn marks was found in a cashew plantation at Kuinamoll Sanguem by the locals.

Though the body is yet to be identified, the Sanguem police have received a missing complaint of one Shantaram Shirodkar from Nondurlem who resided barely half a kilometre away from the place where the unidentified charred body was found.

Incidentally, the cashew plantation where the dead body was found also belonged to Shantaram Shirodkar. Close by to the body, police also found footwear, a chopper and a hat which belonged to Shantaram as identified by his family members. However, since all these items were found at three different places, the same has baffled the police.

Police sources also informed that one leg from the burnt body was found at a little distance away from where the body was found. There are possibilities of the leg being severed from the body by dogs as dogs were found near the body, sources informed.

Shantaram Shirodkar had gone missing since December 23 afternoon. However, since his family members were of the belief that Shantaram had probably gone for a religious function at Fatorpa with his brother. The missing complaint was filed on Sunday morning after Shantaram failed to return home in the morning hours and as his mobile was in switched off mode. 

After having learnt of Shantaram missing from home, his nephew Bablo began to search for him and after some time headed to the cashew plantation. 

Bablo was surprised to see the cashew plantation in a totally burnt state and after having proceeded a little distance in the burnt cashew plantation, Bablo saw some dogs moving there. Going little closer Bablo noticed a charred male body in the cashew plantation. Bablo also noticed the chopper, hat and footwear which his uncle Shantaram wore near the charred body but at different locations.

Family members of Shantaram though have not identified the charred body to be that of Shantaram as of now, have demanded thorough police investigation in the matter.

Sanguem Police led by PI Sagar Ekuskar is investigating into the matter.