July 20: A 45-year-old man, Siva Roy, who was severely beaten up by his younger brother and two others, died of his injuries at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) early this morning.

A police officer probing the case said the victim had drinks with his younger brother Laxman, 42, at their residence near Kahilipara post office on Friday night.

“Soon after, the brothers had a bitter quarrel over some property issues, which led to a scuffle between them,” he said.

During the fracas, Siva bashed up Laxman leaving him injured.

“After being thrashed by his elder brother, Laxman fled from the spot. He went straight to his employer, Kangkan Sarma, and narrated his woes to him. Later, Laxman, along with Sarma and another person Bhabani Deka, came to the house and the trio attacked Siva with blunt objects, including a wooden plank,” the police source said.

Siva sustained critical injuries on his head and other parts of the body.

The police said Bhabani was a friend of Laxman, who worked as Sarma’s driver.

“When Laxman saw his elder brother soaked in blood and writhing in pain, he had a change of heart and rushed Siva to GMCH the same night,” the officer said.

“Probably his intention was to teach his brother a lesson and not to kill him,” he added.

Siva finally succumbed to his injuries at the hospital around 3.30am today.

The police have registered a murder case at Bhagadattapur police outpost and arrested Laxman and Bhabani.

They have launched a hunt to nab Sarma, who is absconding. “It is believed that the argument broke out between them over how to share their family property,” the source said.

The police said the victim was a daily wage earner.

An autopsy was conducted at GMCH this afternoon.

The incident has sent shock waves through the locality.