Property dealer drowns in pond, family cries foul

LUCKNOW :The body of a 38-yearold property dealer Siddhartha Singh alias Ajay Singh was found floating in a village pond in Itaunja police area here on Thursday.

His family members alleged foul play but police claimed it a case of drowning and sent the body for post-mortem examination.

The victim worked as small time property dealer and stayed along with his elder brother Sukhram Singh’s family.

His elder brother Sukhram Singh was not at home when Ajay left his house in Itaunja’s Usaara village at around 11 pm on Wednesday.

He said Ajay did not return in the night so the family members started searching him and making calls on his mobile phone but call was not picked.

He said some villagers informed the family members that Ajay’s clothes, shoes and mobile was found lying near the pond. “We immediately informed the police and search operation was carried out during which Ajay’s body was fished out from the water,” he added.

The victim’s brother questioned that why Ajay would enter the pond by himself removing all his clothes and shoes during the night hour.

He raised suspicion over his death and demanded to probe the case thoroughly.

District police spokesman Arun Kumar said the initial probe suggested it as a simple case of drowning but still further probe is being conducted following apprehensions raised over the victim’s death.