Bantala: A man was allegedly beaten to death with a stick by his uncle, who was said to be mentally unstable, in Angul district late Friday night.
The accused has been arrested, police said.
The victim was identified as Sudarshan Das of Barakanjani village under Inkarbandh panchayat in Angul block.
The accused, Basant Kumar Das, who reportedly suffers from mental illness, had been staying near the village cremation ground. His family members used to bring food for him every day.
According to police, Sudarshan went to the cremation ground to deliver food for his uncle Friday around 10 pm, but did not return home.
Sudarshan’s wife went there searching for him Saturday morning and found his body near the cremation ground.
Villagers later tied Basant to a tree and questioned him. He allegedly confessed to beating Sudarshan to death with a stick and dumping the body about 200 metres away.
Police from Angul Sadar station recovered the body and registered a case (633/25) based on a complaint lodged by Sudarshan’s younger brother, Siddheshwar Das.
Station officer Mrinal Kal said the accused was in custody and further investigation was underway.
PNN