June 12, 2012: The highly decomposed body of a security guard of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, was found floating in an oxidation pond on the campus on Monday. Police are investigating whether it is a case of murder or suicide. However, two colleagues of the deceased have been absconding since the body surfaced.
Police said the body had strangulation marks on the neck. Investigators suspect that assailants could have killed the guard, M Abdul Kalak, 35, and dumped the body in the pond after tying a boulder to his limbs.
The incident follows recent security concerns that led administrators to propose new rules to enhance safety on the campus.
“Some people staying with him in Velachery were missing in the morning and we thought that they could have murdered him after a squabble and left his body in the pond. So far, only two of them have turned up,” the police said.
“As many as five men were staying with him and we questioned the men who were present. We have registered a case of unnatural death and not murder as of now. Special teams have been formed to hunt down the missing roommates,” said police.
