Spanish scientist missing case: Eight people taken into custody

Mangalore, Mar 14 (UNI) Eight people were today taken into custody in connection with the suspected death of a Spanish scientist, reported missing since last few months in Belthangady taluk in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.

Police said the scientist, Francisco Albert Belil, who had come to Kadirudyavar forest area in Belthangady in June last year for a study on forests, went missing since last few months. His family members in Spain had alerted the Indian Government through the Spanish High Commissioner's office.

During investigation, the Puttur police, headed by Assistant Superintendent of Police Dr Harsha, were informed by the locals that a body was found hanging in the thick forest at Kondody in Kadirudyavar village a few months ago. Acting on the information, police have recovered bones of a body from the spot and seized a foreign mobile phone and a tape recorder from a local, believed to be used by the deceased.

However, mystery shrouded the disappearance of the Spanish scientist as the police were yet to ascertain whether the skeletal remains were of the foreigner.

UNI