PATHANAMTHITTA: In a extraordinary turn of events, 70-year-old 'Raman Babu', who was buried by his family thinking he was dead, returned yesterday. The return sparked joy among Raman's family members in Laha Manjathodu Adivasi colony, but the police are keeping a close eye on the identity of the cremated dead body.

The dead body was found on the morning of December 30 in Ananthara between Nilakkal and Ilavungal. At first it was thought that he might have been attacked by a wild elephant as he was bleeding from his ear. On investigation by the Nilakkal police, it was learned that Raman Babu, who had gone to the Achankovil temple for the festival, had not returned. The body was 'identified' by his wife and children and sent for post-mortem. It was reported that the cause of death was heart attack. He was then buried in a forest area near the colony.

On Saturday at 9.45 am, Raman Babu was seen walking along the Konni-Kokathodu forest path by his relative, a forest guard. He took a photo on his phone and sent it to his children. After confirming that it was Raman Babu, he was brought to the Nilakkal police station. His son Azhakan said that the body lying in the forest was the same as his father and no one suspected anything else. Raman Babu, who was mentally deranged, was living with his elder son Bose and has seven children.