Though the police are not yet saying anything about their unusual find, sources said the bones were probably dug up from a cemetery during its periodic cleaning.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (D N Nagar Division) R D Shinde told Express Newsline that the bones have been sent to anatomy experts and chemical analysers attached to the JJ Hospital. The report is likely to throw light on the exact age of bones, period of burial and other such details.

Investigators, meanwhile, are pursuing two possibilities. The bones could either have been dug up from a cemetery during its periodic cleaning, or a builder probably stumbled across the collection during construction of a building in the neighbourhood. The bones were then quietly disposed off for fear of losingclients.

Around 4 pm on Thursday an anonymous caller informed the police control room about three bodies stuffed in gunny bags lying amidst the thick growth of mangroves near Jankidevi Public School, Link Road, Andheri (west).

When the police reached the spot they found 12 polythene bags containing 22 skulls and other bones. Also found in the bags were clothes, socks, gloves, jari strips used for making garlands, bouquets and two handles for lifting coffins. The bags were dry, ruling out the possibility of them having drifted to the shore.