Bengaluru, March 16 A 45-year-old mechanic was allegedly beaten to death in front of his children after a dispute over a minor issue, police said on Monday.
The deceased, identified as Rasheed, worked at a garage in the Wilson Garden area of the city, they said.
Seven people, including the main accused Parvez, have been arrested in connection with the murder that occurred on Sunday evening.
A video of the alleged attack was widely circulated on social media platforms.
According to police, Rasheed and Parvez allegedly argued over a construction-related issue. During the altercation, Parvez allegedly hit Ahmed on the leg with a bat. Ahmed fell to the ground and hit his head on the pavement, resulting in his death.
"A case has been registered in connection with the incident that occurred under the jurisdiction of the Wilson Garden police station. Based on the complaint, statements of the complainant, eyewitness accounts, information from locals, and other evidence, police have so far arrested seven accused," a senior police officer said.
The investigation is ongoing to determine the exact motive, but prima facie, it appears that the argument escalated over the construction of a concrete roof for the garage shop where he worked, he said.
Asked if it was related to demands for protection money, the officer said, "We have noticed certain claims appearing in some places, but we need time to confirm whether they are true or not. The verification process is ongoing," he said.