Kodagu: An elderly man was brutally murdered by his own relative here on Monday, July 25 near Balegundi Hadi in Valnur gram panchayath limits in Siddapura.

Yemme Rama, a Jenu Kuruba community member is the deceased. He was hacked to death by his relative Suresha(26) in an inebriated state, it is said.

Both were drunk at the time of the crime and soon indulged into a verbal spat over  past rivalry. Suresha in a fit of rage hacked Yemme Rama’s head killing him on the spot.

Siddarapura police have arrested Suresha and booked him under 302,323 section. Madikeri circle inspector Medappa, Siddapura station officer B G Kumar visited the spot.