Upon investigation, the police discovered a sealed wooden box that contained skeletal remains. The authorities suspect that the bones could belong to a woman as they also found a mangalsutra (a traditional Indian necklace worn by married women) in the box. Currently, the police are trying to identify the woman by analyzing the DNA samples extracted from the bones.
The shop where the remains were found is owned by Shandong Huiyang Industry Co., a company established in 2003 and offering a range of wood-related products. Authorities have sealed the shop and detained the company's staff for questioning. They are also reviewing the company's records to ascertain the identity of the person who had stored the box in the shop.
The use of wood as a medium for artwork and furniture production is widespread in India; however, this incident has cast a shadow on the use of wood for storage purposes. Despite the company’s certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for their environmental and social responsibility with respect to wood sourcing and production, the discovery of the skeletal remains raises concerns over the safety aspects of storing valuables in such boxes.
Speaking on the incident, a representative from the FSC said, "Our certification scheme does not deal with human-driven risks, only the environmental and social aspects of forestry. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the manufacturers to ensure that their premises and the products they produce are safe and secure for all."
The incident has also exposed a gap in the safety and security measures of closed shops, which have become vulnerable to illegal activities due to the closure of many businesses during the pandemic. This discovery has left the authorities and the public worried about the safety of other closed shops across the city and how to ensure that they remain safe from such criminal activities.
The authorities are now urging the general public to come forward if they have any information about the incident. They have also beefed up security measures in Hyderabad city and are conducting regular checks on closed shops.
This discovery has not only shaken the residents of Hyderabad but also raised concerns over the safety measures and security checks of products before they are sold. While the incident has highlighted the need for stringent safety measures at closed shops, it also indicates that manufacturers must ensure that their products are safe and secure for all. The authorities and the public are now waiting for the police to identify the woman whose skeletal remains were discovered at the furniture store, hoping for justice to be done.