KOCHI: The High Court employee who was brutally beaten by migrant workers for questioning about throwing footwear at his beloved pet dog has died. PB Vinod (53) of Thotunkil Parambil house on Mullassery Canal Road, Ernakulam is the one who died. Vinod was the driver of High Court Judge Justice Sathish Ninan.

He was undergoing treatment at the Ernakulam Medical Trust Hospital since the 25th with severe injuries to his entire body and nerves in his neck. He died at 11 am today. The Ernakulam Central Police has charged murder charges against the accused who are in remand. The accused are Ashwani Golkar (27) and Kushal Gupta (27) from Uttar Pradesh, Utkarsh (25) from Rajasthan and Gohana Deepak (26) from Haryana, who are postal assistants in the postal department.

Vinod's wife is Sindhu. Children: Deveshwar, Diya (student of Amrita Nursing School). The body was shifted to the mortuary after post-mortem at Kalamasery Medical College. The body will be cremated in the Ravipuram crematorium at 5 pm after a public viewing at the High Court premises tomorrow afternoon.

Examination before the pyre is lit

Vinod's son will sit for the exam today with his heart saddened by the loss of his father. Deveshwar is destined to light his father's pyre as soon as he completes his B.Com final year final exam at Kothamangalam MA College. Vinod's cremation has been postponed because of Deveshwar's examination.

Jack was like Vinod's son

KOCHI: Vinod who was a football player was also an animal lover. Vinod used to call his pet dog Jack "my son". Ever since Vinod was hospitalized after being beaten up by the gang of four, Jack has been lying limp in a corner. It was as if this faithful animal realized that something was wrong with his master. Jack was tied up when the incident took place.

Jack, a German Shepherd, was acquired as a puppy. Vinod was the one who used to feed and bathe him. Vinod had celebrated Jack's third birthday on March 13 by inviting friends and family members. All the pictures were shared on Facebook. The defendants, who are North Indians, threw footwear at Jack for barking non-stop.