A BJP politician’s son allegedly bludgeoned a domestic worker to death after he demanded his last two months’ wages before Holi, which he planned to spend with his family at home.

Sandesh Kumar, 22, of village Paindabad in Kannauj district had been working for the past six months as domestic help for former MLA Banwari Lal Dohre in Dahlepur village in the same district.

Vikas Rai, a local police inspector, said Banwari Lal’s son Ajit allegedly hit Kumar in the head with a rifle butt on Thursday after he demanded his wages as he wanted to go home for Holi. “However, it’s a subject of investigation,” he added.

Some Dahlepur residents informed Kumar’s relatives he was lying injured and unconscious in front of Banwari Lal’s house. Family members rushed to Dahlepur, 10km from Painabad, and admitted him to Kannauj district hospital.

“From there, they took him to Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital in Kanpur the same evening. He died of brain haemorrhage on Sunday,” said Kannauj superintendent of police Prashant Verma.

“We have arrested Ajit on the charge of murder on a complaint from the dead man’s family,” Verma said.

Banwari Lal said: “I feel bad about my son’s activities. I don’t live with him; I live in Kannauj city. But I was told the servant had fallen down the stairs. Only a thorough inquiry can reveal the truth.”

A BJP source said: “Ajit had been chosen to contest the Zila Panchayat election. Posters with his pictures had been put up across Kannauj city. He is also district president of the Vishwa Hindu Mahasangh, which promotes Hinduism and organises religious events.”

A villager said Kumar earned a monthly salary of Rs 5,000.