A daily wage labourer was beaten to death with a wooden stick in broad daylight near a police station in Korba district, Chhattisgarh, India.

According to police, the incident took place at a location where labourers regularly gather in search of work. Investigators said an argument broke out between two men earlier in the day, during which one of them allegedly assaulted the other.

Approximately 30 minutes later, the victim of the initial altercation returned armed with a wooden stick and repeatedly struck the other man on the head, inflicting fatal injuries.

The deceased was identified as 45-year-old Rajesh, also known as Maharaj. The suspect, Bharat Sahu, fled the scene following the attack but was arrested by police shortly afterwards.

Witnesses told investigators that both men were believed to have been under the influence of intoxicants. Police said the dispute reportedly began while the suspect was inhaling an adhesive solution commonly abused as an intoxicant.

The body was sent for a post-mortem examination, and authorities have launched a murder investigation.