Jharsuguda: Suspicion surrounds the death of a 29-year-old man who was found hanging from a tree in Odisha's Jharsuguda district, with police investigating whether it was a case of suicide or murder.

The deceased has been identified as Khageswar Parua (29), a resident of Cheliapada village under Laikera police station limits.

According to police, Khageswar had visited nearby Dhuruadihi village on Sunday to witness the Rath Yatra festivities and returned home in the evening. After spending some time with his family, he reportedly left the house again at around 8 pm.

When he did not return late into the night, his family began searching for him. During the search, they found him hanging from a tree near the village's kirtan mandap and immediately informed the Bagdihi police outpost.

Police, along with a scientific team from Jharsuguda, reached the spot and carried out a detailed examination. The team collected forensic evidence before the body was sent for postmortem. After the autopsy, the body was handed over to the family.

The circumstances surrounding the death have raised several questions, as the body was reportedly found with a rope around the neck while the lower part of the body, below the knees, was touching the ground. This has led to speculation over whether the incident was a suicide or if foul play was involved.

Police have registered an unnatural death case and launched a detailed investigation. Officials said the exact cause of death will be known only after the postmortem report, forensic examination and other evidence are analysed.