Bengaluru: The Adugodi police have arrested a 55-year-old autorickshaw driver for allegedly killing his 80-year-old mother after she refused to give him money for alcohol.

The police have identified the accused as Selvaraj is a chronic alcoholic who lived with his mother Lakshmi in her house at Ambedkar Nagar.

The police said the accused did not ply the autorickshaw regularly because of his addiction. Lakshmi would make ends meet by working as a domestic help in a few houses in the neighbourhood.

Neighbours informed the police that Selvraj would regularly harass his mother for money to fuel his addiction. On Saturday night, when she refused to part with her hard-earned money, Selvaraj allegedly smashed her head against a wall and fled from the spot.

Lakshmi sustained severe head injuries. Neighbours heard her cries for help. They took her to a hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

Based on a complaint, the Adugodi police arrested Selvaraj and produced him in the court. The court remanded him in judicial custody.