THRISSUR: A 68-year-old man died after brutally beaten by the conductor amidst a dispute over the balance amount. Pavithran of Karuvannur, died while undergoing treatment. Ratheesh of Urakam, the conductor of the Shastha bus operating service on the Thrissur-Kodungallur route, attacked the aged man. The incident happened on April 2 at around 12 noon near the Puthenthope bus stop.

The passengers said Pavithran boarded the bus from near Karuvannoor Raja Company. He was going to pay the electricity bill at the KSEB office. When Pavithran gave Rs 10 as bus charge, the conductor said the fare is Rs 13. He immediately gave the conducted a 500 rupee note. Ratheesh gave him Rs 480 in return. A dispute broke out over the balance amount. In the meantime, the bus had passed the stop where Pavithran had to get off. When the bus reached Puthenthope bus stop, Ratheesh kicked Pavithran when he tried to get down from the bus from behind. Pavithra fell after hitting his head on the stone lying on the roadside. The conductor attacked Pavithran again when he was lying on the road.

The locals who saw the incident took Pavithran to the hospital. He was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Thrissur and a private hospital in Kochi. On the day of the incident, after being informed by the locals, the police arrived and took the conductor and the bus into custody. The police said that Ratheesh will be charged with murder.