Kochi, Kerala: The body of an unidentified woman was found wrapped in a sack near a house at Thevara in Ernakulam district on Saturday.

Following this, the house owner, identified as George, was taken into custody for questioning. The body was found along a pathway near his house. A photograph has since surfaced showing George sitting near the body in an inebriated condition.

The shocking incident came to light around 6:30 am. According to local residents, George had been seen roaming around earlier in search of a sack, claiming a dog had died in his compound and that he needed a sack to dispose of it.

As he appeared drunk, neighbours assumed he was not serious and left him alone. He later procured sacks from a nearby shop, residents said.

Haritha Karma Sena workers were the first to spot the sack containing the body. They immediately alerted the ward councillor, who informed the police.

"As per the preliminary investigation, the man was in relationship with the woman and murdered her following an argument. An investigation is on to find out the exact reason and method of killing," a police officer told PTI.

Police also questioned migrant labourers who were living as tenants in a portion of the house. People who reached the spot said they first saw George sitting near the sack, resting his head on his hand, and he did not speak to anyone.

George had previously worked as a home nurse. He has a wife and two children, a son currently in the UK and a daughter in Pala. Neighbours noted that although he consumed alcohol, he had never caused trouble in the area.

Police suspect it could be a case of murder and have launched an investigation