THANJAVUR: Police arrested a 31-year-old farmer in Thanjavur on charges of beating his 21-year-old relative to death over a love affair with a 17-year-old schoolgirl, also his cousin.
Police identified the deceased as Anand, a resident of Valamarkottai and an ITI passout.
He fell in love with his cousin while studying in Class 12, something the parents of both opposed. They had asked him to stop the relationship. Meanwhile, the farmer, Udhayakumar, 31, a native of Soorakottai and relative of the girl and the victim, met Anand on the banks of a canal near his residence on Thursday night. Udhayakumar picked up a quarrel with Anand and asked him to stop roaming with the girl. The argument turned into a scuffle with Udhayakumar attacking Anand with a spade at one point.
Sustaining severe injuries on his head, the man died on the spot. Thanjavur taluk police arrived and moved the body to the medical college hospital for autopsy.
Police arrested Udhayakumar on Friday and further investigations were on.
