“Kwatra’s neighbour, also a senior citizen, heard his screams for help and rushed to his flat. He rang the doorbell several times, but no one answered,” he said.

The police said the neighbour later went to the rear of the building. As soon he moved, the two men rushed out of the main door, they said.

“Another neighbour saw the suspects flee the building,” said Patil. After the two men fled, the neighbours entered Kwatra’s flat and found him lying on the floor with his hands and legs tied. They rushed him to hospital, where he was declared dead.

Police found a cupboard in the house ransacked, but have not been able to make out what was stolen.

Patil said: “It appears the two men were known to Kwatra, as there are no signs of forced entry. We have registered a case of murder.”