The Surathkal police, on Monday, arrested a 21-year-old man for allegedly murdering his 20-year-old brother at their residence in Chokkabettu, Surathkal, on Sunday night.The police said the accused, Somanath, and his brother Mallikarjun, had been staying in a rented house, with their mother Shivaleela, on Krishna Mutt Road in Chokkabettu for the past five years.According to police, Somanath objected to his brother Mallikarjun speaking to a girl on phone on Sunday night. Mallikarjun reportedly spoke to Somanath in a demeaning manner. Angered by his brother’s conduct, Somanath used a sharp weapon to hack Mallikarjun to death while the latter was asleep and fled.The incident occurred when Shivaleela had gone to her hometown in Koppal district.On Monday morning, the house owner, Rekha, discovered the incident and informed the police. The police registered a case of murder and arrested Somanath, who was hiding near the house. While questioning, Somanath admitted murdering his brother, the police said.Somanath has been charged under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and will be produced before a jurisdictional magistrate, the police said. Published - July 20, 2026 08:02 pm IST