In a shocking incident, a man who was mistaken for a thief was beaten and tortured to death in Nallur village, near here, on Sunday night.
He has been identified as Shivananjaiah (45), a physically challenged person from Doddaghanni. He had served in the Home Guards. Of late, he was employed as a daily wage worker.
On Sunday, Shivananjaiah attended a dinner hosted by some families leaving for Sabarimala. He had gone there with his brother-in-law Venkatesh. Later, he went to Manjunath’s house asking for some drinking water. Manjunath’s wife mistook him for a thief and screamed out for help.
A mob that gathered outside Manjunath’ house tied Shivananjaiah to an electric pole and beat him up. They poured water on him and burnt his hands and legs. He died as a result of the torture. Manjunath, Chandru, Rukmangada and Manu have been taken into custody.