Kollam: A man was beaten to death with a wire rod while he was asleep in Kerala's Kollam by his drunken co-worker following a tussle over mobile phone. The accused has been arrested and probe is on, police said.
The victim, identified as Mahalingam, was a native of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, police said. Both the victim and the accused, Biju, a localite were construction workers and engaged at the construction site of Neendakara Putantura Konnel Sribalabhadra Devi Temple for the last five years.
Police said that problem rose after Mahalingam asked Biju for his mobile phone to watch a movie. When Biju refused, a quarrel broke out between the two. The issue was resolved after other workers intervened, police said.
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According to police, prior to the incident, all the workers drank alcohol together before going to bed. After everyone fell asleep, Mahalingam, quietly got up and took Biju's phone. Biju, who was heavily drunk suddenly woke up and found his phone missing. When he realised that Mahalingam had taken it from him, he became furious. He got hold of a wire rod lying on the construction site and went to Mahalingam, who was asleep. He then started hitting the victim brutally on his head.
The other workers woke up due to the commotion and rushed towards Biju. But, Malahingam had already succumbed to his injuries by then. The temple officials informed the police. Chavara police took Biju into custody and sent the body for post mortem. Next morning, forensic experts visited the site and collected evidences. Police said the matter was being investigated.
