IN A shocking incident, a 45- year-old daily-wage labourer was brutally bludgeoned to death following a dispute over a ‘beedi’. The incident took place near the DIG Bungalow Crossing under the Gautam Nagar Police Station in the early hours of Wednesday. Taking prompt action, the police scanned CCTV footage, traced the killer, and arrested him within two hours of the crime.

 

According to reports, locals informed the police that a body with a smashed face was lying outside a stationary shop. Police reached the spot and with the help of locals, identified the deceased as Suresh Kushwaha. ACP Rakesh Singh Baghel said that Suresh used to live away from his family and slept on the footpath. Following investigations, police traced and arrested Kartik Rathore (28), a painter from Choukse Nagar.

 

Dispute over cigarette and spit led to murder: During questioning, Kartik confessed that he had consumed liquor to celebrate his birthday on Tuesday night. While returning home, he passed by Suresh and asked for a ‘beedi’. An altercation ensued when Suresh refused and allegedly spat ‘gutkha’ on Kartik’s feet. Enraged, Kartik left the spot but returned early in the morning, between 5 and 6 am.

 

Police said that Kartik picked up a large stone from the roadside and smashed it on Suresh’s face while he was asleep. CCTV footage reportedly shows the injured victim dragging himself on the ground. Kartik then returned again, dragged him back to the same spot, and struck him once more with the stone to ensure he was dead. ACP Baghel confirmed that the accused was traced and arrested within two hours of the crime, and the stones used in the crime have been recovered.

 

A case of murder has been registered against him. Both the victim and the accused worked as labourers and were known to each other, he added.