A 27-year-old migrant worker from Odisha was beaten to death following a dispute over money at a rented house in Thrissur city, where police suspect an illegal prostitution racket was operating.

The victim, Dhanpati Nayak, was allegedly assaulted at a house in Korappath Lane near Kuruppam Road on June 18. He had sustained serious head injuries and was undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital, Thrissur, where he succumbed on Sunday (June 21, 2026) morning.

Police have arrested six persons in connection with the case, including four women and two men. Preliminary investigation suggests that the rented house, taken by migrant workers from Odisha and Assam about seven months ago, was allegedly being used as a prostitution centre, with entry restricted to people from other States.

According to police, Nayak, along with two others—both also from Odisha and working in a hotel in the city—had visited the house on the night of the incident. An argument over money reportedly escalated into violence, during which the accused brutally assaulted the trio.

While Nayak suffered fatal head injuries, the others sustained minor injuries.

Police said further investigation is under way to establish the full extent of the racket and the role of those arrested.