MYSTERY surrounds the deaths of a man and woman whose bodies were found in a Muharraq house.

The man has been identified as Mohamed Anvar Batherdeen, from India, while the woman is believed to be a Sri Lankan housemaid who has so far not been named.

She was found hanging from a ceiling fan, while Mr Batherdeen’s body was lying on the floor in the same room by police who broke down the door.

It is thought they may have died four days before their bodies were discovered, but the circumstances of their deaths remain unclear.

They were found on Saturday in a house located in the Fareej Al Bin Ali area of Muharraq after neighbours called police to complain about a foul smell.

Police on Saturday said it was being treated as a double suicide, but investigations are continuing and a forensics team has visited the location to collect evidence.

Area councillor Khalid Bu Onk told the GDN yesterday that the maid’s employer had reported her missing four days previously.

“We don’t know if the two were married or just living together,” he said.

“Mr Batherdeen’s body was lying on the floor and according to sources he may have been poisoned, but nothing is confirmed yet.

“We spoke to some of the neighbours, but no one gave us a clear picture about these two and some were even reluctant to talk, fearing the police.

“Some think the man had a heart attack when he saw the maid hanging, while others think he was poisoned.

“We are also not sure if the maid committed suicide, or was hanged by Mr Batherdeen.

“Maybe she poisoned him before hanging herself. The picture is unclear and we are desperate to know how the two died.”

Officials from both the Sri Lankan and Indian Embassies said they had still not been contacted by authorities regarding the incident yesterday.

Mr Batherdeen worked for the Wujood Al Bahrain company, which could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, no records for the woman were available with the immigration authorities or the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).

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