Crime Detectives have charged a 46-year-old man in relation to the alleged assault of a 54-year-old man on Friday night.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Tony Henrys said the two men were involved in an altercation at a residence in Karama at around 7pm.

"Police allege the offender struck the victim to the head and the victim fell to the ground.

"The man was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

“The 46-year-old man was arrested a short time later and charged with unlawfully cause serious harm.”

He was remanded in custody and will appear in Darwin Magistrates Court on Monday 7 July 2014.