Kasaragod, Kerala: The mystery surrounding the headless body of a man that washed ashore at Nellikunnu beach has deepened after a post-mortem examination revealed signs that the body had undergone an autopsy elsewhere before reaching the coast.

Police said unusual incisions and surgical stitches were initially noticed on the chest and abdomen during the inquest. A subsequent post-mortem conducted at Pariyaram Medical College confirmed that the cuts were consistent with an earlier autopsy procedure.

The officials, however, believe the previous post-mortem was unlikely to have been conducted in Kerala, prompting them to widen the investigation beyond the state.

The victim's identity remains unknown as the body was found without a head, making it impossible to estimate the person's age or other identifying features. Officials said the body was in an advanced state of decomposition and is believed to have been in the water for more than a month.

Kasaragod Town Police have decided to conduct DNA testing to establish the victim's identity and are expanding the investigation outside Kerala in an effort to trace the case.

Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death and how the body eventually washed ashore on the Kasaragod coast.