A septuagenarian priest was found dead inside a temple in the Sarojini Nagar area on Friday morning. A temple bell and a few belongings of the priest were found missing.

Surya Mohan (75) was a priest at the Ram Janki Hanuman Mandir in Darogakhera village — on the outskirts of the city — for over 20 years. He was a native of Palendha village in Kakori area, where his three other brothers live with their families.

While his brother Sriram suspected that Surya was killed over a petty theft, the police are probing the possibility of a property dispute as the motive behind the murder.

Surya’s wife and children had died years ago and he used to stay alone in the temple. He also owned a small piece of land in Palendha.

Surya was found lying in a pool of blood by some villagers when they went to the temple to offer prayers in the morning. His head bore a deep cut and a screw driver was found near the body. Blood spots were also found on the walls.

Following this, the villagers informed the police and the victim’s nephew, Ram Sewak, who resides in the nearby Guari village.

“The relatives of the victim have not named any suspect. The police are probing various possibilities,” said Subhash Attri, Circle Officer of Sarojini Nagar.

Sriram, however, claimed his brother did not have any dispute with anyone in the village.

He claimed that last year too, a theft had taken place in the temple, but then Surya was not present at the spot.