Musharraf Hussain, 34, a research scholar from Malda studying in Egypt, was found dead in his Cairo flat on Saturday.

Musharraf, whose family lives in the Madia Shovabajar area under Englishbazar police station had gone to Egypt to pursue higher studies in Arabic almost a decade ago. He was to return to his native place this April, his relatives said.

“Early on Sunday, we received a phone call from some students of the Al-Azhar University in Cairo, informing us that Musharraf was found lying dead at his flat where he stayed alone,” said Piyar Ali, a close relative of the deceased.

The family members have been told that Musharraf was found lying near the door of a room.

“We were told that the flat owner initially refused to break open the door to this flat. Later, the door was broken with the help of the local police and Musharraf’s body was found lying near the door,” said Ali.

Family members believe that Musharraf’s death is shrouded in mystery.

“He had had a talk with family members just last week and seemed perfectly happy,” said a family member.

Efforts are now on to get Musharraf’s body back to India, and if possible conduct an autopsy to ascertain the cause of his death, his relatives said.