Ujjain, Sep 4 (IANS) The body of a 38-year-old man was found inside a hotel room near the Mahakal Temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain on Friday, prompting police to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
The deceased was identified as Mukesh Kumar, a resident of New Kotgaon in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad. He had arrived in Ujjain on September 1 with his friend Vineet Goyal to visit the Mahakal Temple.
According to the police, the two had checked into Hotel Temple View in the Naliya Bakhal area, opposite the Neelkanth Gate of the Mahakal Temple’s Mahakal Lok corridor.
The hotel management alerted the Mahakal police on Friday morning after a strong foul smell started emanating from Mukesh’s room.
A police team reached the spot and found his body inside the room.
Police said the body was in a decomposed condition, and hotel staff were asked to use a spray in the room because of the strong odour.
A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) was also called to examine the crime scene and collect evidence.
Mahakal Police Station Station House Officer (SHO), Gagan Badal, said the exact cause of death would be known only after the post-mortem examination.
“The exact cause of death will be established only after the post-mortem examination. At present, we are investigating all possible angles, including the possibility of murder,” Badal added.
Police said that Mukesh and Vineet had stayed at the hotel for around two days.
Hotel staff told investigators that the two men were frequently seen entering and leaving the premises after consuming alcohol.
On September 3, Vineet reportedly paid the entire hotel bill and left the premises without informing anyone.
Police said his sudden departure had raised suspicion and was being examined as part of the investigation.
“Vineet’s payment of the hotel bill and his departure a day before the body was found are suspicious circumstances. Teams have been sent to trace him, while CCTV footage from the hotel and surrounding areas is being examined,” Badal said.
Police are scrutinising CCTV footage to establish the movements of Mukesh and Vineet and determine whether anyone else visited the hotel room.
The body has been sent for post-mortem examination.
Police said that further details would emerge after the autopsy and forensic examination.
Investigators are also verifying the sequence of events between September 1 when the two friends arrived in Ujjain, and September 3 when Vineet left the hotel.
–IANS
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