Missing ICAR ex-chief found dead in Cauvery

“Ayyappan was reported missing on May 7 by his family at the Vidyaranyapuram police station in Mysuru. The 70-year-old scientist reportedly left home on his scooter without carrying his mobile phone but did not return. During investigation, his scooter was located parked nearby at the Sai Ashram,” B Prakash, inspector at the Srirangapatna police station, said.

“The exact reason of death is yet to be determined. Initial investigation suggests he may have entered the water three days earlier, possibly near the Sai Baba Ashram where he was known to meditate,” he said. According to his family, he frequently visited the Cauvery riverbanks and Ramakrishna Ashram in Mysuru for meditation.

He further said that an unidentified body was found floating in the Cauvery river on Saturday by locals who reported the matter to police. “The body was identified to be of Subbanna Ayyappan and shifted to KR hospital Mysuru. The body has been handed over to family members after conducting the post-mortem examination. We registered a case of unnatural death and launched investigation,” he added.