Farm owner held for burying labourer’s body

RAJKOT: The farm owner, who had allegedly buried the body of a labourer, who died of electrocution in Kandhigam village of Una taluka in Gir Somnath district on September 14, was arrested on Tuesday.

Police said the accused, identified as Dahya Anantala, had allegedly buried the body of Babu Dabhi (42). “Anantala said that as he had feared police action against him, he decided to bury the body,” said Una police station sub-inspector J V Chudasama.

Dabhi used to work in a farm near Anantala’s farm. On the fateful day, he was going to the farm. While passing Anantala’s farm, he touched a live wire . Dabhi was electrocuted on the spot. “When Anantala came to know about it, he dug a pit near the fencing of his farm and buried Dabhi. When Dabhi’s employer Khatu Khant did not find him at work he inquired with his son Sanjay Dabhi (25). On the night of September 14, Sanjay spotted his father’s sandals and a towel at Anantala’s farm. He also saw the pit. This raised his suspicion and he approached us. We waited till the morning of September 15 and then exhumed Dabhi’s body in the presence of deputy collector,” added Chudasama.

Meanwhile, Dabhi’s post-mortem report confirmed electrocution as the cause of his death. As there were no signs of injuries or strangulation, police ruled out possibility of any foul play. However, Anantala has been arrested and booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for culpable homicide and destruction of evidence.