Maulana's body dumped in Virar creek

The body of a 38-year-old maulana, who went missing a few days ago, was found in a gunny bag, near the Virar creek on Thursday. Police have registered a case of murder and are suspecting personal enmity to be the probable reason behind the murder.

According to police, Irfan Sunsara, 38, a resident of Jangid complex in Virar, was last seen on Wednesday near his building. His body was found on Thursday in a creek near Kopar village of Virar on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway. The Virar Police found the body inside a gunny sack; his cellphone was missing.

Although no missing complaint was registered at any police station, the cops identified the body through bills found inside Sunsara's pocket; they contacted the owners of the shops he had visited. The picture of the body was sent to an acquaintance, who eventually identified him.

"The cause of death has not been ascertained yet. The viscera has been sent for a forensic analysis. The preacher lived a lonely life and the body was handed over to his brother. The family said they do not have any in mind, but we are probing all angles," said Sachin Ingole, an assistant police inspector privy to the investigation.

"We have registered a case under sections 302(murder) and 201(destroying evidence) of the Indian Penal Code against unidentified person and will soon take the statements of the family members of the victim. We will also go through the call records of the victim," said Ghanshyam Adhav, police inspector, Virar Police Station.