Nellore, May 16: A priest was done to death by another priest in Tarunavai village in Sangam mandal late on Saturday night.
The accused Penchalaiah had developed a grudge against the victim Kapilaiah, who replaced him as the priest of the local temple.
According to police, V Penchalaiah who was the priest in Chennakesava Swamy temple in Tarunavai since the last few years, was removed from service, for not conducting his duties properly. The villagers recently appointed A Kapilaiah (45) as the new priest.
The people in the village, following the tradition, gave a share of their paddy after the harvest, to the newly appointed priest Kapilaiah.
Penchalaiah was angry that the villagers did not give him a share in the paddy.
Gathering his relatives, he pelted stones on Kapilaiah’s house.
When Kapilaiah came out and asked them why they were attacking, they beat him black and blue.
The seriously injured Kapailaiah was taken to Sangam area hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead.
A case has been registered and investigation is on.
–Agencies