Man Kicked To Death After Chastising Scrap Picker For Spitting In Public

A 65-year-old man was reportedly kicked to death by an unidentified scrap picker following a heated argument over the elderly victim spitting in public in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India on Sunday, July 10.

The deceased, identified as K Bhuvanachandran, and his friend were reportedly having a conversation in front of a shop near his house on the day of the incident. While they were chatting in front of the shop, a scrap picker who was walking by, spat on the road near them.

Bhuvanachandran, who felt enraged seeing this, confronted the scrap picker, questioned his behavior, and engaged in a heated argument. The confrontation soon turned physical, during which, in a fit of rage, the accused kicked Bhuvanachandran in the stomach. After the attack, Bhuvanachandran lost balance, collapsed, and became unconscious. Seeing Bhuvanachandran fall to the ground, the accused reportedly fled the scene, the New Indian Express reported.

Onlookers immediately rushed the elderly man to a private hospital in Kazhakkoottam for treatment. An x-ray at the facility revealed that he had severe internal bleeding in the assault. As his health deteriorated, he was referred to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital (TMCH) for advanced treatment. However, Bhuvanachandran died while he was being transferred to the medical college hospital.

Bhuvanachandran had undergone surgery recently and was reportedly receiving liver treatment. According to preliminary reports obtained, the death resulted from intense organ bleeding.

According to witnesses, after the elderly victim collapsed, the scrap picker had food at a nearby hotel and took a public transport bus to Kollam, about 60 kilometers from the crime scene, the Hindu reported.

"The scrap picker is familiar to the local people but they don’t know his name. We are searching for him based on CCTV footage and will soon be brought to book. The offense of murder will be charged only after taking the accused into custody. The autopsy report will also be considered," said Kazhakkoottam Cybercity ACP CS Hari.

Following Bhuvanachandran's death, the officers have registered a case under section 174 (unnatural death) of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) and have launched a probe to trace the culprit.