India, July 1 -- A 20-year-old man allegedly murdered his stepfather while he was asleep by stabbing his neck multiple times with a crowbar in Pataudi early Wednesday, allegedly to avenge being separated from his mother, police said.

The incident took place between 1.30am and 2am at the family's residence, officers added. Police said the victim was sleeping in the courtyard when the suspect allegedly attacked him with a crowbar kept inside the house, lacerating his neck multiple times. Investigators said the victim died within seconds and had no opportunity to defend himself as he was asleep.

The wife and daughter were at home and rushed out after hearing the commotion, finding the man lying in a pool of blood on a cot in the courtyard,...