MEERUT, May 6 -- A partially-burnt body of a 20-year-old student was found in a tubewell pit in the fields of Lakshmipura village in Shamli's Chausana area on Tuesday morning, police said, adding that initial findings suggest murder.

The deceased, identified as Govind, was a resident of Lakshmipura.

Police officials said that upon receiving the information, teams rushed to the spot and recovered the body with the help of villagers. Preliminary findings indicate that Govind may have been killed elsewhere, his body partially burned, and then dumped into the well in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.

Family members said Govind was sleeping in a cattle enclosure (gher) near his home on Monday night. When they woke up the next morning...