The mutilated body of Munusamy was found on the banks of Collidam river at Nandimangalam village, where crocodiles had been sighted frequently in the past.
The body bore severe injuries and marks indicating attack by crocodile, police said adding it was suspected that he might have entered the river for taking bath last night.
Police seized the body and sent it for post-mortem.
Police said the number of crocodile attacks had increased in the last few years. The Kumaratchi Panchayat has put up a board cautioning against taking bath in the river at Nandimangalam.