Ludhiana, Punjab | January 9, 2026

In a chilling incident that has shocked residents of Ludhiana, the mutilated body of a 30-year-old man was discovered on Thursday in a vacant plot near a private school, triggering a police investigation into what authorities are describing as a gruesome murder.

The victim has been identified as Davinder, who had reportedly arrived in Ludhiana from Mumbai just two days prior to the incident. According to preliminary reports, he had briefly visited his home for about 15 minutes before leaving again, after which he did not return.

Police officials said that the body had been chopped into three pieces, with one portion showing signs of partial burning. The other sections were reportedly concealed inside a white plastic drum, which had been abandoned at the vacant plot. Investigators believe that the crime occurred elsewhere and that the perpetrators transported the body to the site to destroy evidence.

Early investigations have pointed to a close acquaintance of the victim, identified as Shera, who lives on a nearby street, as the main suspect. CCTV footage reportedly shows Shera along with another individual carrying a drum containing the body toward the plot where it was later recovered. Police are questioning Shera, the second individual captured in the recordings, residents in the area, and Davinder’s family members to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the murder.

The motive behind the killing remains unclear at this stage. Authorities have neither confirmed nor ruled out personal disputes, financial disagreements, or other possible triggers, but are carefully analyzing the movements of the victim and suspects in the days leading up to the murder.

The discovery has caused alarm in Ludhiana, particularly as it comes just days after another grim incident. A burned, unidentified body was found in an open field under the Meharban police station limits three days earlier. Police are working to establish the identity of that victim and are investigating potential connections between the two cases.

Residents expressed shock and concern over the brutality of the crime, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance and effective policing in the area. “It’s terrifying that something like this can happen in broad daylight so close to a school,” a local resident told news agencies.

Police have assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway. Teams are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas, forensic evidence from the crime scene and the drum, and digital communications of the victim and suspects to gather leads. Authorities have also reached out to Mumbai police to track Davinder’s movements prior to his arrival in Ludhiana.

The Ludhiana police department is coordinating with neighboring districts to ensure that the suspects cannot evade capture. While the investigation is ongoing, officials have cautioned against spreading unverified information that could hinder the inquiry or inflame public fear.

Forensic teams are conducting detailed examinations of the recovered body parts, the plastic drum, and any trace evidence at the site. Officers are also exploring whether the use of fire on part of the body was intended to destroy forensic evidence or intimidate others connected to the victim.

As of now, both Shera and the second individual seen on CCTV remain in police custody for questioning. Investigators are focusing on establishing the timeline of events between Davinder’s arrival in Ludhiana and the discovery of his body, including identifying any additional individuals who may have been involved in the murder or disposal of the body.

This case has heightened concerns about safety in residential areas and the need for effective monitoring of vacant plots and public spaces. Police have indicated that they are deploying additional patrols around the area to reassure residents and prevent similar incidents while the investigation continues.

Authorities have also appealed to the public for any information that may assist the investigation, especially from those who may have seen unusual movements or suspicious activity near the vacant plot in the days leading up to the discovery of the body.

The Ludhiana case is being treated with urgency, given its brutality and the potential involvement of multiple suspects. Police have indicated that they are pursuing all possible leads and are committed to ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.