Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur

Puttur, Feb 17: In a mysterious incident, a taxi was found abandoned on the highway at Neerakatte in Bajathur here on Wednesday February 17, with its key in the ignition and blood stains in the trunk.

The cab, bearing registration number KA-20-C-3198 also carried the mobile number 9632346546 on its rear door, but when contacted, the phone was found to be switched off. According to RTA documents, the car is registered in the name of one V A Ismail, son of Aliabba.

The locals saw the car parked beside the highway at Neerakatte early morning, but they did not suspect anything as they believed somebody was visiting a house in the neighbourhood. However, even till late afternoon, there was no sign of the driver or owner of the car, which raised suspicion. The locals then inspected the car, they found the car key inside and the doors closed. They then informed the police, suspecting that their might be some mystery about leaving the car with the key inside.

When the police arrived at the spot and inspected, they found blood stains in the trunk (dicky) of the car. Also, the backseat seemed to have been turned in different directions. It is suspected that some animal or a human was forced in and trasported in the car. The police who tried the mobile number printed on the rear door tried it several times, but in vain, as the phone was switched off. Also, crumbs of eatables were found on middle seat.

The police are investigating the case from various angles, on whether the car was used to transport a body or an animal, and the necessity for the driver to leave the car abandoned with the key inside. More details would be known once the owner of the car is traced, police sources said.