Rajkot: An 88-year-old trustee of a charitable hospital in Dhandhuka town, Dharamshi Moradiya, was killed outside his home on Tuesday by a neighbor, Kalpesh Mer, who held a deep grudge against him for not securing him a job. The 32-year-old assailant, Mer, also attempted suicide by ingesting poison and is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

According to a police complaint filed by Moradiya’s son, Harish, Mer had been persistently requesting his father to help him find employment at RMS Hospital. Despite repeatedly telling Mer that he would inform him when a vacancy became available, tensions escalated.

On Tuesday, Mer visited Moradiya’s house in Bhimnath village, Barwala taluka, and argued with family members. Moradiya, who wasn’t home at the time, instructed the village’s Deputy Sarpanch, Mangalsinh Rathod, to intervene. Rathod arrived, but Mer had already left.

Later, as Moradiya returned home and discussed the matter with Rathod outside, Mer reappeared and confronted him furiously about the job. Before Moradiya could react, Mer attacked him with an iron sickle, striking his head and face. A domestic worker managed to disarm Mer, and neighbors rushed Moradiya to the hospital, but he succumbed to severe blood loss after receiving brief medical attention.

Botad district superintendent of Police, Kishore Baloliya, mentioned that Moradiya was actively involved in the hospital’s administration and the construction business. He was also a well-known figure in the Patidar community.