A man was beaten to death on theft allegations in Rajbari's Pangsha upazila.

However, the deceased’s family claimed that he was picked up from home and killed over previous enmity.

The deceased, Md Jaj Ali Biswas, 35, of Majail village under Patta union, was found severely injured near a mill in Dari Banglat area under Kasbamajail union around 4:00am on Wednesday.

According to local residents, there had been longstanding conflict between people of Kasbamajail and Patta unions.

On June 22, Md Jamin Biswas, an uncle of Jaj Ali, was allegedly beaten to death by people from Dari Banglat area over establishing dominance in the locality.

The deceased's family subsequently filed a murder case, naming Md Akmal Hossain Tikka as the prime accused.

The family alleged that after securing bail, the accused and their associates planned the killing of Jaj Ali and picked him up from his home.

Jaj's wife Babita Begum, 25, said her husband went to fish in the river near their house on Tuesday night.

"At around 3:30am on Wednesday, Arif of Kasbamajail union called my husband and took him away. I repeatedly asked him not to go out at night, but he did not listen. In the morning, I learned that he had been beaten to death after being accused of theft. I want justice," she said.

Jaj's father Shurai Biswas alleged that his brother Jamin Biswas was killed about two months ago allegedly under the leadership of Tikka and Hakim.

"After we filed the case, Tikka had been threatening us in various ways to withdraw it. After securing bail, they accused my son of theft and brutally beat him to death. If police had taken proper action in the previous case, this incident would not have happened," he said.

Md Akidul Islam, chairman of Patta union parishad, confirmed the incident and told The Daily Star that Jaj and Arif were both drug addicts.

"Last night, Jaj was lured away with the promise of drugs and then accused of theft and beaten. His hands and legs were broken before he was handed over to police. He died on the way to hospital," he said.

Sheikh Moinul Islam, officer-in-charge of Pangsha Model Police Station, told The Daily Star, "When we took him [Jaj] to hospital, the doctor declared him dead.”

The OC said additional police have been deployed in the area for security reasons.

“The situation is currently calm. The family has not yet filed a complaint. Legal action will be taken after receiving the complaint," he added.