The body of a youth was found floating in a canal under mysterious circumstances in Singhpur area under Binjharpur police station in Jajpur district on Sunday.
The deceased has been identified as Priyaranjan Dhal, a resident Olei village. He was a driver by profession.
Some villagers, who were on their way to the canal, spotted Priyaranjan's body which with a rope to a tree. They later informed the police about the incident.
On getting information, Binjharpur police rushed to the spot and started an investigation into the incident with the help of a forensic team.
Whether Priyaranjan was murdered or committed suicide is not clear.
However, the family members of the deceased alleged that Priyaranjan had been murdered and his body dumped into the canal by some miscreants.
“Priyaranjan has been murdered. There should be a proper investigation into the incident and stern action should be taken against the culprits,” said Debendra Dhal, a relative of the deceased.