Patna, May 28: A retired Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) employee, who had been beaten up by an extortionist and his associates on May 24, succumbed to his injuries at Patna Medical College and Hospital this morning.

Sixty-one-year-old Shyam Sunder Sharma had received the first extortion call in January from Bittu Sharma, who demanded Rs 1 lakh from him.

A resident of Nadwa locality under the jurisdiction of Dhanarua police station of Patna, Sharma's daughter Aditya Kumari had met Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manu Maharaaj the day he was beaten up and had urged him to arrest Bittu and his associates as quickly as possible. Bittu is still at large with the police claiming that a probe is on.

When this correspondent visited Nadwa , the locality was still in shock at the death of the person. However, sources close to the family said the man (Bittu) was still threatening the Sharma family.

"Today (Saturday), the family has given a written complaint to Shalin, the deputy inspector-general of police (DIG), central range, stating that they are still being threatened. According to the application submitted, Bittu has threatened the family not to go to the Patna Medical College and Hospital to collect his body or to the cremation site for his last rites, or else the family and anyone who helps them will face serious consequences," a person close to the family told The Telegraph.

The well-wisher added: "It has been said that Bittu has threatened to kill them if they disobeyed. The application has been signed by many people in the Nadwa locality. The man was seriously injured and was at the Patna Medical College and Hospital since he was attacked during his morning walk with sticks by Bittu and his associates. Why are the police unable to arrest Bittu even now?"

During a brief talk with this correspondent at the hospital, Sharma had said that he and his family were being troubled by Bittu since January.

The man had said that Bittu knew that he had got some money after his retirement and had made a house for his family at Nadwa.

The man was always asking for Rs 1 lakh and Sharma had lodged an FIR against him at the local police station. Troubles for the family increased when, apart from the money, Bittu was pressuring Sharma to lift the case he had lodged against him.

The cops, when contacted, could merely provide assurances. "Yesterday (Friday), four of Bittu's associates were arrested and they have been sent to jail. So far as Bittu is concerned, the man is still absconding and the police are making efforts to nab him at the earliest. It is unfortunate that Sharma passed away today owing to his injuries and now it is a case of murder," an officer at the Dhanarua police station said.