WAITERS have allegedly beaten an Australian tourist to death for being "arrogant" while ordering a beer in an Indian restaurant.

John Kelly, 65, is reported to have died of internal injuries sustained when he was beaten by staff at the Club City Restaurant in the Indian resort region of Goa yesterday.

The incident follows the murder of 15-year-old British tourist Scarlett Keeling, who was allegedly raped and left for dead by two local men in Goa in February.

The Times of India  and local reports said Mr Kelly`s beating followed an altercation in which he displayed an "arrogant attitude".

He reportedly arrived in Goa on September 29 and entered the bar at 8am local time on Wednesday.

Some reports said security staff at the bar joined in the bashing.

Others said Mr Kelly was set upon by "a group" of waiters, who also tore up his clothes.

Deputy Superintendent Gundu Naik said Mr Kelly died 10 hours after being attacked while drinking a beer in the bar at Calangute, about 10km from the state capital, Panaji.

"He died 10 hours after the assault, while being treated at Goa Medical College and Hospital here,`` Superintendent Naik was quoted as saying.

"He entered into an argument with the waiter which resulted in the altercation. The deceased was pushed down and assaulted.``

No further details were released but Superintendent Bosco George said two waiters and a security guard at the premises had been detained, but not arrested, in connection with the incident.

The Times of India quoted another local police officer as saying that the incident was being treated as murder.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it was urgently seeking to confirm reports of the death.

"A  staff member from the Australian Consulate-General in Mumbai has travelled to Goa for this purpose," a spokesman said.

With AFP