Dead traveller 'spoke of fears'

Stephen Bennett was an experienced traveller

The father of a British man whose body was found in India has spoken of his son's fears prior to his death.

Stephen Bennett, 40, from Cheltenham, was found in a village near Roha, 75 miles from Mumbai, on 11 December.

Four men have been arrested and two more are being sought, police chief Madhukar Talpade told BBC News.

Carol Bennett said: "His phone calls expressed concerns. It was unusual for him to show concern. He said he was travelling with two Indians."

From his Cheltenham home, he added: "I am not yet happy that they have carried out an adequate investigation."

Detectives believe the father-of-two was killed after villagers mistook him for a sex attacker.

He had apparently frightened a local woman by calling at her home in the early hours of the morning.

She panicked and woke up two men, claiming she had been raped, and Mr Bennett was then beaten with sticks, throttled with a sari and hanged.

His wallet, which contained more than £300 in cash, was found next to his body, along with his passport.