MANGALURU: Villagers of Gardadi, Belthangady taluk were in for a shock after a man, whom they presumed dead and also performed his last rites, reappeared just a few days before the family was getting ready for the 13th day ritual.
According to police, 60-year-old Srinivas Devadiga had gone missing on January 26 from his residence. The family did not bother to file a complaint as it was a common practice for him to go missing and return home after a few days. Besides, he was also an alcoholic. On February 3, Belthangady police found a body at a well in Kullunje. The photos of the body were circulated on social media in order to trace the identity. Srinivas family, who too received the message, rushed to the spot and claimed the body. They told police that Srinivas had birthmarks and the body too had the same. Later, his final rites were performed at his village.
When the family members were preparing for the 13th day rituals, they received information that Srinivas was in Mangaluru. Five days ago, one of the person, known to the family informed them that Srinivas was roaming near the District Wenlock Hospital. The family members rushed to Mangaluru and traced him. He was produced at Belthangady police station and taken home. However, now the police are trying to establish the identity of the body that was found in the well.