Rajasthan man's body found stuffed in drum on rooftop; wife, children missing

The body of a man was found stuffed in a drum on the rooftop of a house in Khairthal-Tijara district of Rajasthan, with his wife, three children and the landlord's son found missing, police said.

The deceased was identified as Hansram alias Suraj, a native of Shahjahanpur district in Uttar Pradesh, who lived in Adarsh Colony of Kishangarhbas with his wife and three children, Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajendra Singh Nirwan said on Sunday.

The body, bearing a throat injury inflicted with a sharp weapon, was discovered after neighbours complained of a foul smell.

"Salt had been put over the body to speed up decomposition," Nirwan said.

Hansram had been living in a rented rooftop room for the past one-and-a-half months and worked at a brick kiln. His wife Sunita, their three children, and the landlord's son, Jitendra, have been missing since Saturday, police said.

"The deceased was addicted to liquor and often drank with Jitendra. Since Saturday evening, both Jitendra and Hansram's family have been untraceable," the DSP added.

Police have launched a search for the missing persons. The body has been sent for post-mortem and a case registered.