MEERUT, Oct. 17 -- The 10-day mystery over the disappearance of 46-year-old history-sheeter Sartaj Ali from Jisora village under Mundali police station limits ended after his body was found in a canal in the Sharifpur forest area under Simbhaoli police station of Hapur district. His family, who had been repeatedly approaching police officials for help, identified the body on Wednesday.

On Wednesday evening, Sartaj's brother Vakil lodged a complaint at the Mundali police station, alleging that eight villagers lured Sartaj from his home, killed him, and dumped his body in the canal to conceal the crime. A case of murder has been registered against the named accused.

According to Vakil, Sartaj left home on the evening of October 5, saying ...