Police suspect he was attacked for taking only the correct fare from commuters

Charging minimum fare and helping commuters in need proved fatal for a 67-year-old autorickshaw driver who was beaten to death by his colleague at Yemalur autorickshaw stand last Wednesday.

The victim, Narayana Y.M., had worked as a driver for the tax department. Post-retirement, he decided to drive an autorickshaw.

According to the police, he operated in and around Yemalur and was known to offer rides for minimum fare. “He was friendly with commuters and would help them out because of which he was very popular in the area. The other autorickshaw drivers, who would charge exorbitant fares, felt that Narayana was ruining their business. They were also envious of his popularity, as people would ask for him first,” said the police.

Last Wednesday, the prime accused Babu, 20, got into an argument with Narayana over fares. “It got ugly, and Babu started beating the elderly driver. After receiving severe blows and kicks, Narayana fell on the ground and lost consciousness,” said the police.

Other auto drivers, who were witness to the incident, tried to stop Babu and informed Narayana’s family who rushed to the spot and took him to a private hospital.

As they did not have oxygen supply, he was referred to another hospital. At the second hospital, doctors declared him brought dead.

Babu was arrested for murder and remanded in judicial custody.

“My father retired in 2011. As he was bored sitting at home, four years ago, he started driving an autorickshaw,”said his daughter Y.N. Prema. “A few hours before he was murdered, he had taken his grandchildren for a treat of ice cream. That was the last time the family saw him,” Prema said in her complaint to the police.