New Delhi, Sep 5 (IANS): In a sensational case, a mango vendor battered a boy to death for stealing a fruit from his pushcart here, police said Friday. The murder triggered tension in the area.

Following the incident reported Thursday night from Seemapuri in east Delhi, a large contingent of police was deployed.

Police said the boy, Sheikh Sehdul, 15, was attacked with an iron rod, which was used by the accused for lighting a battery operated tubelight.

He was immediately rushed to a hospital where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

Eyewitnesses said the boy had stopped near the vendor's push cart and showed him a Rs.10 note while demanding that he be given the fruit.

"But, as the boy was not giving the note but kept on asking for the mango, the vendor refused to comply.

"When the vendor was busy with other customers, the boy picked up a mango and kept it in his pocket. This enraged the accused who beat the boy to death," said a police official.

The accused is on the run after the incident.