A security check in progress at Rajpath. (Representational image. Press Trust of India)
The body of an unidentified youth was found near Udyog Bhawan six hours before Republic Day parade started in Delhi this morning, causing consternation among security agencies.
Udyog Bhawan, which houses the ministries of commerce and industry, is less than 100 m from Rajpath. The entire area was under unprecedented security blanked in view of the visit of US President Barack Obama - the chief guest for the parade this year.
A seven-layer security ring - comprising 50,000 security personnel - was placed around the area. Five hundred police officers were on duty at Rajpath.
The body of the youth was found in a kiosk which had been closed for two days following the heightened security in the area.It was discovered when the Bomb Disposal Squad was carrying out a final check around 4 am.
A chunk of concrete was found near the body, which, the police say could a portion of the ceiling that fell on him and led to his death. The body bore injuries on the head.
The police, however, are not ruling out foul play.
The local police say the youth, who was around 20 years old, had been working at the shop for the last few days. But his identity is yet to be verified.