VDG found dead in Ramban

Ramban, Oct 22: A Village Defence Guard (VDG) was found dead under suspicious circumstances in a gorge near the Nayabat office in Balihote, Ramban district on Wednesday.

Police sources identified the deceased as Bittu Ram (35), son of Tulsi Ram, a resident of Balihote. His body was recovered lying in a gorge along the Balihote link road, under unexplained conditions.

Upon receiving information, police teams, along with officials from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and crime photographers, reached the site. The body was retrieved from the gorge and shifted to the mortuary at District Hospital Ramban.

After conducting the postmortem and completing other legal formalities, police handed over the body to the deceased's family for last rites.

To ascertain the exact cause of death, inquest proceedings under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been initiated at Police Station Ramban.

Further investigation was underway, a Police officer informed.

According to local residents, Bittu Ram did not return home on Tuesday night.

Concerned locals including family members launched a search operation on Wednesday morning and eventually found his body in the gorge. While the police continue their probe, some locals suspect that he may have accidentally slipped and fallen to his death.