Mystery over body found in canal with ‘symbol’ tattooed on hand
Detectives have been left stumped as they struggle to identify a body found in a canal five months ago.
The body of a man was found in a canal in the Smethwick area of Birmingham on the afternoon of November 30 last year.
Police say they’ve been working hard to try and identify the man, thought to be around 50 to 60 years old, but haven’t figured out who he is ‘despite carrying out extensive enquiries’.
His body had no injuries and the force say there’s no evidence of third party involvement with his death.
The man was described as Asian, of medium build with black hair.
Police say he had a tattoo on his right hand similar to the Sikh symbol of ‘Ek Onkar’ – but despite having spoken to the local Gurdwara they still haven’t been able to identify him.
What is the Ek Onkar Sikh symbol?
Ek Onkar translates to ‘there is only one god’ and it is a fundamental phrase in Sikhism.
It’s the first line of the Mool Mantar – the Sikh statement of belief which forms the basis of the entire religion and their beliefs about Waheguru, their name for god.
‘Ek’ is not actually a word, but the Punjabi symbol for the number one
The Mool Mantar is the opening text of the Guru Granth Sahib, the most important Sikh holy book.
His body is currently being held by the coroner before it is released for a funeral.
West Midlands Police are appealing to the public in the hope someone can identify the man.
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