Man accused of killing brother-in-law

A 35-year-old man was allegedly killed by his brother-in-law at Ambarnath in Thane district of Maharashtra, police said Saturday.

The victim was identified as Rajesh Sharma, while the accused James Mathews Francis (38) and his three accomplices were absconding, police said.

According to police, James' wife was hit by a cow four days ago and suffered a serious injury.

James had a fight with the cow's owner and subsequently lodged a police complaint.

He wanted his sister to support him in the complaint, but she refused.

Angered, James and three of his friends went to her house late last night and had a quarrel with her.

When Sharma, his brother-in-law, intervened, James and the other three allegedly hit him with a piece of wood and loose tiles, killing him on the spot.

All four absconded afterwards, police said, adding that identity of James' three friends was yet to be ascertained.

A case of murder has been registered.