40-yr-old beaten to death

A 40-year-old man was allegedly
beaten to death and his wife seriously injured in Bilhor town, around 60 km from here, police said today.
Narendra, a tempo-driver, was beaten to death yesterday by the family members of the girl who was in relationship with the victim's son, police said.
The accused have been identified as Sooraj and his family members, they said.
Narendra's son Pankaj was in a relationship with Sooraj's daughter and the two had ran away from their village last year, police said, adding, the girl's family lodged a case against Pankaj for taking her with him on false pretences.

The couple was later traced and Pankaj was sent to jail, they said.

Due to the enmity between two families, Narendra had recently left the village and was living in a nearby area.
He and his wife went to their old residence last night to get the rest of their belongings, police said.
On receiving this information, Sooraj and his family members went to Narendra's house and attacked him with sticks, police said, adding, the victim, in order to save his life, went to the terrace but the accused set the house on fire.
Narendra came downstairs, following which he was again beaten with sticks after which he died on the spot.

Narendra's wife Suman, who tried to come to her husband's rescue, was also seriously injured in the incident and has been admitted in a hospital, they said.
A case has been filed against Sooraj and his family members who are absconding, police added.
Police force has been deployed to maintain peace and order in the area.