THODUPUZHA: A middle-aged man was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a bush in Thodupuzha city. The deceased has been identified as Jabbar (61), a fisherman. The body was found in a bush near the lodge near the Thodupuzha Kanjiramattom district education office at 8 am yesterday.

It was a nearby trader who called the police. There were scars on the face and neck. A knife was found near the body. Police said that the cause of death would be known only after the post-mortem.

Police have received information that a clash took place at a nearby lodge on Monday in connection with a cards game. Some had called the police saying that Jabbar was threatening to set himself ablze. However, he was not at the scene when the police arrived.

Though four of Jabbar's friends were taken into police custody for questioning, they were later released. The body was shifted to Kottayam Medical College for postmortem.