The naked body of an unidentified woman in her 20s was found abandoned in a fore-sted area off Mumbai-Ahme-dabad highway, near Virar, about 24 km from Mumbai, on Thursday. The police have registered a case of murder based on the external injuries seen on the woman’s body. The Virar police said the body was spotted near an uninhabited, dilapidated building in Watharpada village by a villager around 7.30am.

“There are strangulation marks around her neck, wounds on her cheeks that are a result of contact with a sharp object and head injuries,” said D Patil, assistant inspector, Virar police station. “Investigation is in progress.”

Locals said the woman is not from the village.

“We have issued wireless messages across the state and have circulated the woman’s photo in case a missing person’s complaint was filed recently,” Patil said.