A petty quarrel over a coconut tree took a murderous turn after a 30-year-old man was beaten to death with a cricket bat by his neighbour near Agani village in Sirkazhi taluk on Sunday.
Sources said that Jeevanandham (30), a resident of Vadakku Theru in Agani village, and his neighbour Rajasekhar (35), director of a primary agriculture cooperative bank (PACB), had frequent quarrels as coconuts from the tree in the former’s house were falling into the residence of his neighbour and PACB director Rajasekhar.
On Sunday, when Jeevanandham’s mother Manjula entered the premises of Rajasekhar to collect coconuts that had fallen from the tree on their land, the latter’s wife Ponselvi scolded her.
When Jeevanandham was informed of the incident, he picked up an altercation with Rajasekhar.
In a fit of rage, Rajasekhar grabbed a cricket bat and assaulted Jeevanandham. Jeevanandham, who sustained injuries, was rushed to Sirkazhi government hospital.
He was later referred to Tiruvarur government hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Monday morning.
Rajasekhar surrendered before the Kattumannarkudi court on Monday.