Dhanbad, Oct. 20: A 25-year-old man bludgeoned his neighbour to death with bricks and sticks at Dhansar, barely 4km from town, in the wee hours today for nurturing an illicit relationship with his wife.

Ashok Gorai is absconding, but police have arrested his wife Pinki on the basis of a complaint lodged by the victim’s 10-year-old son.

According to local residents, Anil Rawat (40) of Harijan Bustee in Dahuatand under Dhansar police station had been pursuing Pinki for quite sometime. And the 21-year-old, too, positively responded to his overtures.

Last night, Rawat took the opportunity of his wife being away at her parents’ house in Govindpur and invited Pinki to his quarters while her husband was asleep. However, after Pinki left the house, Gorai, who had been suspecting that his wife was cheating on him, followed her.

Around 1am, he found Pinki locked up in a room with Rawat. Infuriated, the youth broke open the door and attacked his neighbour with bricks and bamboo sticks.

Caught on the wrong foot, Pinki told her husband that Rawat had brought her to meet his wife.

Not satisfied with her explanation, Gorai repeatedly assaulted the man till he collapsed. Rawat’s son Amit, who was sleeping in another room, rushed to his father’s rescue but not before it was too late.

Amit called their neighbours and police were informed. A case was registered against Gorai and Pinki this morning. While the woman was arrested, Gorai fled. Rawat’s body has been sent for post-mortem.

DSP (law and order) Sanjay Ranjan Singh confirmed murder spurred by illicit relationship. He said raids were being conducted in and around Dhansar and the accused would be arrested soon.