Deputy Panchayat Head Murdered in Kangra Village

Police said the body bore deep head injuries.

A deputy panchayat head was allegedly murdered in the Chadiyar area of Kangra district, senior police officials confirmed on Thursday.

The victim, Ravi Rana (40) — son of the late Bheem Singh, former deputy head of Chek Panchayat in Chadiyar — was found dead late Wednesday night. His body was discovered by the roadside, not far from his home, around midnight.

According to police, the body had severe head injuries, suggesting that the death was a case of homicide.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Ravi Rana had been drinking at a friend’s house in Chadiyar earlier in the evening and was returning home when the incident occurred.

Later that night, a villager driving past noticed him lying unconscious by the roadside. Although he recognized the victim, he called Rana’s phone to confirm his identity — the phone rang near the body, confirming it was him.

The villager immediately alerted the panchayat head and others, following which Baijnath Police Station in-charge Yadesh Thakur arrived at the scene and took possession of the body.

Police have registered a murder case against unidentified persons and sent the body to Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital, Tanda for post-mortem.

Senior police officials, accompanied by a forensic team, inspected the site where the body was found, and several villagers were questioned in connection with the case.

Ravi Rana was unmarried and lived with his elder brother, as both of their parents had passed away.