Belagavi, Karnataka: A Sunday gathering of workers in Karnataka’s Belagavi district turned fatal after a quarrel over chicken pieces allegedly escalated into a stabbing, leaving one man dead.

According to police, the incident involved Seetharam and Arun, both natives of Pilibhit district in Uttar Pradesh. The two worked at the same steel company in Belagavi and were living with three to four other workers in a shed.

The group reportedly gathered on Sunday, their day off, and consumed alcohol while preparing a chicken meal. During the meal, an argument allegedly broke out after Seetharam questioned Arun over the number of chicken pieces he was eating.

The quarrel soon escalated. Police said Arun, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, picked up a knife and stabbed Seetharam in the chest.

After the stabbing, Arun reportedly took the injured man to a hospital but allegedly told others and the authorities that Seetharam had fallen from a building. Police became suspicious of the explanation and began questioning those present at the gathering.

Seetharam later succumbed to his injuries.

Following the investigation, police arrested Arun and treated the incident as a murder case. Belagavi Superintendent of Police K Ramarajan said the incident had initially been concealed, but a detailed investigation established that the death was the result of a stabbing.

The police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the altercation and the alleged attempt to conceal the actual cause of Seetharam’s injuries.