Man killed by friend in an inebriated state in Tollygunge

Kolkata: A youth was murdered by his friend on Saturday night in front of Sarat Bose Road post office in Tollygunge. According to police, on Saturday, around 10:35 pm, an anonymous caller informed Tollygunge police station that a person was lying in a pool of blood on the footpath in front of Sarat Bose Road post office. Within a few minutes, the police reached the spot and recovered his body. Officers also found a grindstone beside the body.

During preliminary investigation, the police found a deep injury on deceased's head. After questioning the locals, police identified the deceased as Manoj Baitha (32) of Chapra in Bihar. He used to iron cloths in his temporary roadside shop located a few hundred metres from the murder spot. After the police came to know about his identity, officials started searching for his friends and acquaintances to get more information. A few local residents told the police that they had seen Baitha fighting with another man, identified as Lal Dev Sadai, who was a worker at a roadside eatery. Local residents told the police that the altercation broke out when they were drinking together. The police started looking for Sardai, who was found close to murder spot.

He was immediately detained and taken to Tollygunge police station for interrogation. During interrogation, Sadai admitted that he attacked Baitha with the grindstone. Sadai reportedly told the police that on Saturday night he had invited Baitha to drink with him. He said at that time it was raining and he wanted Baitha to change his sitting position so that he could avoid getting wet in the rain but Baitha allegedly denied to change his seat. An altercation ensued between the two and in a fit of rage Sardai allegedly hit Baitha with a grindstone. Sardai was arrested on Sunday.