TIRUPUR: A college student was brutally murdered by a Class 12 student in broad daylight in Tirupur district, police on Sunday said.

Police have detained the school student in connection with the crime and are conducting an inquiry.

The victim, Srihari (19), was studying in the first year at a private college in Avinashipalayam.

On Saturday afternoon, Srihari and his grandmother were at home when a 16-year-old boy came looking for Srihari.

Claiming he wanted to speak with him in private, the teenager called Srihari out of the house.

A short while later, screams were heard from the middle of the road near the house.

Neighbours rushed to the spot and found Srihari lying in a pool of blood with severe cut injuries to his head, neck, hands, and legs, fighting for his life.

He was immediately rescued and rushed to the Tirupur GH, but succumbed to his injuries despite treatment.

During the police probe, it was revealed that the perpetrator was a 16-year-old Class 12 student from Thennampalayam.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a few days ago, the accused had bought a second-hand mobile phone from Srihari.

Claiming the device was defective, the boy asked Srihari to take back the phone and refund his money, but Srihari reportedly refused.

Enraged by this, the teenager visited Srihari's house, lured him outside, and repeatedly hacked him to death with a knife, police added.