kollam: In a suspected case of suicide, a Japanese pilgrim was found dead at the Mata Amritananda Mayi Ashram at Vallikkavu here on Friday.
The body of Ouchi Eiji, 56, was found hanging from the toilet ventilator of his accommodation in the western wing of the ashram around 8. 15 a.m.
The Karunagappally police sent the body to the Thiruvananthapuram MCH for autopsy after inquest. According to the police, he was earlier a frequent visitor to the ashram and became a permanent resident in 2012.
He was staying along with two other foreigners. "He was present at the prayer hall at 5 a.m., but was later found hanging in the toilet by 8.15 a.m.
The police registered a case for unnatural death and started investigation," said Mr Mohammed Shafi, Karunagappally SI.
The body was first taken to a hospital on the Math premises and then to the government hospital at Karunagappally.
"This man was introduced to the Math by his friend Muraleedharan whom he had met at Sai Baba's ashram at Puttaparthy.
We are not aware of his whereabouts as many people visit the Math. Further inquiry should be carried out through the embassy," said Brahmachari Raju, officer of the western wing of the ashram. The Math authorities handed over the passport of the deceased to the police.
