An elderly man was allegedly beaten to death when he resisted a loot attempt by unidentified armed assailants at his residence in Kannoj area of Muradnagar locality here early today, police said.
The victim, Kachedu Lal (60), died after assailants hit him on his head with an iron rod.
Kachedu's son Pawan in his complaint alleged that around five unidentified armed assailants entered their house in the wee hours today and held the family members hostage for hours, police said.
"When Kachedu objected to the loot attempt, one of the assailants attacked him with iron rod on his head", said police, adding that Kachedu's wife Mithlesh was also assaulted when she tried to rescue her husband.
Police said the assailants also seriously injured Kachedu's daughter-in-law, Saraswati. Officials said both the injured women were admitted to a hospital where their condition was stated to be serious.
"We are also investigating if Kachedu's family had any personal enmity with someone. Police have launched a manhunt to arrest assailants. We have registered a case of murder against unknown persons," said a senior police officer.
