Nagpur: In a shocking incident, a 40-year-old man was brutally murdered following a petty dispute over a mobile phone in Pardi area on April 14, Monday evening. The accused, who fled the spot after the assault, was swiftly apprehended by Pardi police.

The deceased has been identified as Jitendra alias Jeetu Raju Jaydev, a resident of Bhim Chowk, Hiwri Nagar, Nandanvan, Nagpur. He had gone to meet his friends near NIT Garden, Navin Nagar, Pardi around 6:45 pm when the incident took place.

During a light-hearted conversation, the accused, identified as Itwaridas Shivdas Manikpuri (35), a resident of Navin Nagar, accused Jeetu of hiding his mobile phone. When Jeetu denied having the device, an argument broke out between the two. In a fit of rage, Jeetu slapped Itwaridas, which reportedly infuriated him further. The accused left the spot threatening revenge.

Shortly after, as Jeetu was sitting on the footpath near a paan kiosk, the accused returned with a wooden stick and struck him repeatedly on the head and back, causing serious injuries. He fled the scene immediately after the attack.

Locals alerted the police, and Jeetu was rushed to Bhavani Hospital in Pardi, and later shifted to Mayo Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Based on the complaint and eyewitness accounts, Pardi police registered a case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and apprehended the accused. Further investigation is underway.