CHENNAI: A 23-year-old woman was allegedly hacked to death by her younger brother following an argument over her mobile phone use at Suthamalli in Tirunelveli district on Tuesday night.

The deceased, Ramalakshmi (23), was rushed to the Palayamkottai Government Hospital after sustaining severe injuries in the attack. However, she died on the way to the hospital.

Based on a complaint lodged by her mother, Kannagi, Suthamalli police registered a case and arrested the accused, Muthukrishnan (21). Further investigation is under way.

Police said Ramalakshmi, a resident of Melakaram in Suthamalli, was employed at a solar power company in Gangaikondan. Her brother Muthukrishnan worked as a cashier at a hotel in Nanguneri and had returned home on leave to attend a temple festival in the village.

According to the police inquiry, Muthukrishnan had often reprimanded his sister for allegedly spending long hours on her mobile phone and speaking privately over calls. On Tuesday night, while their parents were behind the house attending to cattle, he allegedly found Ramalakshmi using her mobile phone and questioned her.

An argument broke out between the siblings and soon escalated into a physical altercation. During the quarrel, Muthukrishnan allegedly took an aruval from the house and attacked his sister, inflicting serious injuries.

Hearing the commotion, the parents rushed inside and found Ramalakshmi lying injured. She was immediately taken by ambulance to the government hospital, but succumbed to her injuries before reaching the facility.

Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the murder.