A man was arrested on charges of murdering his elder brother over property near Anamalai in the district.

According to police, Balakrishnan (39) of Kuppichipudur was in possession of a land document belonging to his elder brother Jagajivanram, a habitual alcoholic.

Since Jagajivanram (42) was a bachelor, he used take food in Balakrishnan’s house. It is learnt that he would frequently demand the document, which Balakrishnan avoided in view of elder brother’s addiction to liquor, police added.

On Sunday, when Jagjivanram demanded the document and started scolding Balakrishnan, the latter stabbed his elder brother and threw a boulder on his head, killing him on the spot. Police rushed to the spot and recovered the body.

Balakrishnan was arrested on Monday afternoon while he was trying to escape. A case under Sec.302 (murder) has been registered against him.