THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The wedding festivities turned into mourning after the bride’s father was beaten to death on the day of her wedding. The dead is Raju (61) of Sree Lakshmi at Vadasserikonam in Varkala. The heinous crime was committed when Sree Lakshmi’s marriage was scheduled to take place at 10.30 am today. The incident happened at Raju's house early Wednesday morning.

The wedding was scheduled to take place at Sivagiri in Varkala. The police have arrested a group of four members including their neighbors Jishnu, his brother Jijin, Shyam and Manu. The Kallambalam police said they got a call early this morning informing about the murder. There was reception at the girl’s house last evening. The group of four came to their house when all left after the reception. Only Raju, his wife and daughter were at home when they came. Raju’s son was not at home.

A verbal dispute broke out between them. Sree Lakshmi and Jishnu were in a relationship earlier. A dispute broke out over that. They attacked Raju with a spade and later Jishnu’s brother Jijin beat him on his head with it. Raju immediately fell down and the four beat him brutally. They fled when the neighbours rushed hearing an uproar. Though Raju was rushed to the hospital, his life could not be saved.

On receiving information, the police reached the spot and took further steps. Raju was in the Gulf earlier. He later quit the job and reached home to be with his family.