A man was found dead with a bullet injury in a highly suspicious manner near the girls hostel of GP Women College located inside DM University Campus under Imphal Police Station in Imphal West on Saturday.
Soon after videos of the body which was found beside a mango tree circulated on social media, the family members identified the deceased as one Takhellambam Rakesh, 47, son of (L) Ibochou of Yaiskul Chingakham Leirak. He is survived by his wife, son and a daughter. The video went viral on social media after 2 pm.
T Rakesh worked as an LIC Agent while running an optical store called Indra Optical at RIMS road, according to his family. He was also a founder member of Business Excellence Group.
Around 8 am, he left for work on his Tata Nexon at Indra Optical. He left the store to deliver money for a chit fund around 12 noon. He carried a few lakh with him when he left the store, as per sources.
The Tata Nexon was found parked near the spot where his body was found. His personal .32 license gun was found placed on his chest. An empty case was found near the body.
After the crime scene was investigated by a team of State Forensic Science Laboratory, a team of Imphal Police Station picked and deposited the body at RIMS Mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Police have raised suspicion that his death might be related with the money he had carried with him.
In connection with the incident, general secretary of Business Excellence Group, Anand Sapam told the media at the residence of Rakesh on Saturday evening that members of the group testified to the good behaviour and manners of T Rakesh.
The members of the group strongly disagreed with any possibility of Rakesh commiting suicide. He said the state government should investigate into the matter thoroughly to ascertain the facts behind the death of Rakesh.
Responding to the media, Anand said that the local club and meira paibs will decide whether the body will be collected or not by the family members.
Romila Takhellambam, younger sister of the deceased, said that she had a conversation with her brother over the mobile phone before the incident took place.
She did not notice anything unusual during the converstaion, and the idea of her brother committing suicide and leaving his family behind is simply no acceptable, she said.
There are no enmities with any individual or group, she added.
“A video surfaced on social media with a caption that a man has committed suicide. The information is false and the government should investigate the incident to find out the cause of his death,” said Romila.
