Giridih, Nov 6 (PTI) A man was allegedly beaten to death in Jharkhand's Giridih district following a dispute with a travel agency through which his parents went on Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca, police said on Friday.
The incident took place on Thursday night in the Rajdhanwar police station area, they said.
The deceased was identified as Mohammed Haider Ali, a resident of Charghara village in Herodih police station limits, Rajdhanwar police station officer-in-charge Brajesh Kumar told reporters.
A complaint was lodged on Friday by the victim's brother, Mohammed Pervez Ansari, accusing eight persons, including Maulana Iliyas Ansari, operator of Madina Travels, of murder.
According to the complaint, Ali's parents left for Umrah on October 7. They were scheduled to return on October 24.
It was alleged that despite collecting an additional Rs 30,000, the accused failed to arrange their return. Ali subsequently made repeated visits to a madrasa, where he allegedly came across information about suspicious activities linked to the travel agency.
The complaint alleged that Ali had a heated argument with Ansari on Thursday and threatened to approach the police to expose the alleged illegal activities, including operations in Gulf countries, being carried out in the name of religion.
It was alleged that Ansari and his brother Sanaullah then assaulted Ali and his brother. Ali tried to flee but could not.
It was further alleged that Ansari instigated others at the spot, following which Ali was beaten and strangled. The family claimed that he died at the scene.
"The main accused is absconding, and we are conducting raids to nab him," the police officer said.
