Man kills brother after faking suicide attempt

 

By Barnabas Karunagari | September 9, 2025

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, INDIA: A domestic dispute in Anamalai, Coimbatore district, turned fatal on Sunday September 7 evening when a 54-year-old man hacked his younger brother to death after allegedly staging a suicide attempt.

The accused, identified as A. Ragupathyram of Somanathapuram near Kaliyapuram, attacked his brother A. Thirumurthy (46), also known as Senthil, with a sickle during a quarrel at his residence.

According to police, Ragupathyram—who was separated from his wife for over a year—was reportedly under the influence of alcohol when his sister-in-law Sudha visited his house around 5 pm to collect medicines for her mother-in-law. At the time, Ragupathyram claimed he had consumed poison. Alarmed, Sudha alerted family members.

Thirumurthy and Ragupathyram’s son-in-law Ranjith rushed to the spot and gave him a home remedy to induce vomiting. Believing his brother had indeed attempted suicide, Thirumurthy scolded him. In a fit of rage, Ragupathyram grabbed a sickle used for cutting coconuts and attacked Thirumurthy, inflicting deep injuries. Thirumurthy died on the spot, say the police.

Ragupathyram was later admitted to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital under police guard. Doctors said his condition was stable as of Monday September 8 evening. 

“As per preliminary findings, the accused had only pretended to consume poison. His arrest will follow once he is declared medically fit,” an officer attached to Anamalai police station said.

Police have registered a case of murder and further investigations are underway.