Man beaten to death in drunken brawl in Kochi

Kochi: A 40-year-old man was beaten to death using a frying pan during a drunken brawl on the rooftop of a house at SRM Road on Monday.Deceased was identified as Aljude Abro of Janatha Colony, Vaduthala. North police arrested his friend Shinoj, 40, into custody.According to police, Shinoj rented out his house and was living on a shed on the rooftop of the building. He and Abro consumed liquor together on Sunday night and entered into a drunken argument.Police said the prima facie case was that Shinoj struck Abro on the head with a frying pan. Handle of the utensil broke due to the impact of the hit. Labourers who took the house on rent found Abro dead on the rooftop in the morning.Soon, police reached the spot. Shinoj was taken into custody from the region itself. Police also recovered the frying pan. Police said Shinoj had a habit of getting agitated under influence and an argument over the victim using his bed is suspected to have triggered the brawl.According to police, Shinoj had a snatching case against him. Police are also investigating if he has other criminal cases against him. An investigation is on into whether more people were present during the brawl, said officers.Police conducted inquest proceedings. Body of the deceased will be handed over to relatives after an autopsy, said police.