A 24-year-old man was allegedly murdered after being invited to a birthday party in Karnataka’s Ballari district, with the accused suspected of strangling him and then setting his body on fire to destroy the evidence, police said.
The victim has been identified as Basanagouda, a resident of Ballanagudda village.
According to police, Basanagouda left home with friends on June 7 to attend a birthday celebration held near a canal in the Moka area. Investigators believe he was killed at the same spot where the gathering took place.
Preliminary findings indicate the assailants used a rope to strangle the victim before burning his body in an apparent attempt to erase traces of the crime.
The case surfaced after Basanagouda did not return home even a day after leaving for the party. His family launched a search, which eventually led to the grim discovery.
Police have registered a murder case at the Moka Police Station and are conducting a manhunt to identify and arrest those responsible. The motive behind the killing has not yet been established and remains under investigation.
Officers said they are examining all angles as the probe continues.