An elderly man was beaten to death on Friday  by a mob on suspicion of theft in Joypurhat.

The victim was Yasin Ali, 62, son of late Hussain Ali of Bankhur village in Joypurhat Sadar upazila.

Puranpoil Union Parishad Chairman Khorshed Alam Saikat said villagers of Ghasuria caught Yasin early Friday morning on suspicion that he was a thief and started beating him mercilessly.

At one stage, he lost consciousness.

Later, the villagers took Yasin to Joypurhat Modern Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries around 5:00pm.

Victim's son Shahinur Islam claimed that his father was innocent.

Joypurhat Police Station Inspector (investigation) Mominul Haque said they sent the body to Joypurhat Modern Hospital for autopsy.

Police are investigating the incident, he said.