The body of a 65-year-old mahant of an ashram in Hardoi district has been found in three pieces in the bushes on Siddhauli Road in Sitapur district, the police said.
The mahant had disappeared under mysterious circumstances around four days ago while completing his annual pilgrimage in Sitapur's Mishrikh.
The deceased's nephew Tai Ram had lodged a missing report with Mishrikh police station after finding his mobile phone unreachable.
Mishrikh Circle Officer, Rajesh Kumar, said preliminary examination of the body suggested that the assailants hacked the mahant to death with a sharp-edged weapon and thereafter cut the body using some other weapon and disposed it of after stuffing it into a jute bag.
He added that the deceased was identified as Mahant Mani Ram Das, of Brahm Rishi Nimiya Baba Ashram in Girdharpur village of Hardoi.
The police official said the body was recovered nearly 200 metre inside the Kesaripur Road when some locals spotted the jute bag after a foul smell pervaded the atmosphere.
He added that spot examination hinted that the mahant was killed somewhere else and later his body was dumped there to mislead the police.
He said the body had been sent for post-mortem examination while forensic team collected some samples for further examination.
UK PM announces new 1.6-billion-pound deal for Ukraine to buy missiles
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain will allow Ukraine to use 1.6 billion pounds ($2 billion) of British export finance to purchase more than 5,000 air defence missiles.
'PM Modi working for welfare of all communities without discrimination', says Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah Committee chief
Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah Committee Chairman Syed Afsar Ali Nizami on Sunday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attending the Sufi music festival 'Jahan-e-Khusro' and said that he gave the message of brotherhood and works for the welfare of all communities and religion without any discrimination.
Mizoram: Security forces seize drugs valued at Rs 66.31 crore
The Assam Rifles in association with Mizoram Police in two separate joint operations have seized huge quantities of drugs worth Rs 66.31 crore from bordering Champhai district, which shares unfenced border with Myanmar and a hotspot of drugs smuggling, officials said on Sunday.
International Wheelchair Day: India emphasises inclusion of persons with disabilities
This day not only highlights the significance of wheelchairs in the lives of users but also serves as an important opportunity to enhance awareness and inclusivity in society, said the ministry on the occasion of the ‘International Wheelchair Day 2025’.
BJP committed to holistic development of Tripura – CM Dr Manik Saha celebrates 2 years of BJP’s second tenure in Tripura
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Sunday joined the party’s celebration of 2 years of its second tenure in Tripura and said that the BJP is committed to holistic development of the state.
Communism is a system designed to ruin future of youth: Biplab
Former Tripura Chief Minister and Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb launched a scathing attack on the CPI(M), asserting that Communism is a system designed to ruin the future of youth and women.
5 including four Govt officials arrested for embezzlement of Rs 29 Lakh in Sepahijala SP Office
Five individuals, including four government officials, have been arrested for their involvement in the embezzlement of Rs 29.04 lakh from the office of the Sepahijala District Superintendent of Police. A case was filed in February 2024 by the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) of the SP's office, leading to an investigation.
Another member of robbery gang held, Weapons, TSR uniforms seized
Tripura Police of Churaibari police station has arrested another active member of the dacoity gang involved in the recent armed heist in Gobindapur, North Tripura district.