Dubai, Apr 6 (Emirates 247) : The body of an Indian businessman and social worker was found, fully charred, in his flat near Lulu Village in Al Qusais Dubai.

Parathi Rahul (39), who ran a business in Dubai, was found dead on a burnt sofa, after it reportedly caught fire on Friday night.

Dubai Police confirmed that Al Qusais Police Station received a call about a fire in an apartment at 11pm on Friday.

The police forcibly entered the locked apartment where they found the man dead.

According to the police, the victim’s body had gone black, indicating that he died from asphyxiation due to inhalation of a large amount of carbon dioxide.

There were empty bottles and glasses around the body.

The Public Prosecutor reached the site on Saturday at 3pm and called for a forensic autopsy to determine the cause of death.

The prosecutor also called fire experts, to determine the cause of the burning.

Dubai Police is also checking surveillance cameras inside the building.

Parathil Rahul is the former general secretary of a leading socio-political organisation related to the Indian National Congress Party.

He hails from Kannur, Kerala, and had just returned from a vacation on April 3, 2015.

On the Facebook page of the deceased, friends are posting condolence messages.