An Indian pilot working with Sri Lankan Airlines, alleged to have died of natural causes, is now believed to have been brutally murdered.

On Wednesday the family of Raman Joshi was told that their son had passed away due to heart failure. But when the family searched the Internet, they found that he was brutally murdered.

Originally from Jalandhar, Raman was working with the airline as a commander pilot for last six years.

Raman's body had been mutilated with sharp weapon and was found hanging from staircase in his house in Nigombo.

His family is now demanding thorough probe and justice from Sri Lankan government. The body will be flown back on Friday evening.

"We got a call from Sri Lanka that he died of heart attack but on the Internet we found that he was murdered. We want justice; their media is saying he was murdered," said Jagan Nath Joshi, Raman's father.

"Indian government should also intervene. They should be asked to punish the guilty," said Pushpa Joshi, Raman's mother.