KADAKKAL: A man died after he was hit on the head during an argument between friends at a gas station over petrol filling. Police took four people into custody. Syed Ali (39), of Baiju Mansil in Darpakkad, has been identifed as the deceased. The incident took place at a petrol pump near Chitara Srikrishna Swamy Temple at 6.30 pm on Wednesday.

According to the police, the deceased Syed Ali went to the pump to fill petrol in the car with his friends. The group of five in the car was drunk. They have Rs 500 and asked to fill petrol. Meanwhile, there was an argument inside the car. Syed Ali was then pushed out by opening the door. Those who got out of the car got into an argument with Syed Ali again.

Meanwhile, Syed Ali was hit on the head by an interlocking block lying on the side of the road. Locals rushed a badly injured Syed Ali to Kadakkal Taluk Hospital but he died. It is not known who hit him. Two people escaped in a car after the locals rushed to the spot. Shahjahan and Nihas were detained by the locals and handed over to the Chithara police. Shan and Sheheen, who escaped, were taken into custody by the Enath police. All four are being interrogated. The investigation is headed by Chithara CIM Rajesh. The arrest of the accused will be recorded soon.

The deceased Seidali was a mobile shop owner in Ittiwa Kottukal. Saidali's body, which is kept at the Kadaikal taluk hospital mortuary, will be buried at Tumbamanthodi Muslim Jamaat after the post-mortem today. Wife: Jasmi. Children: Sultana, Farhan Ali, Sarhan Ali.