Kottayam: Property dispute is at the core of the murders that shook the ancestral house of the Karimpanal family in Kanjirappally taluk on Monday evening.

George Kurian, 52, shot dead his younger brother Renju Kurian, 50, and their maternal uncle Mathew Scaria alias Poochakkallil Raju, 74 after a verbal duel over a property dispute around 4 pm.

Renju and Mathew Scaria, who was roped in to mediate, succumbed later at the Medical College Hospital, Kottayam.

The discord

The discord between the brothers centred around their ancestral property. After his real estate business based in Kochi faced turbulent times, George sought out 2.5 acres of land, part of their family property, from his father.

The dispute between the brothers started as he tried to construct houses in this property for sale. Renju was reportedly against the idea of building a colony next to their ancestral house.

George, who resides in Kochi, came to Kanjirapally from Ernakulam three days ago to sort out the issue. He was staying in a hotel.

Renju, who used to stay with their parents K V Kurian, 84, and Rose Kurian, 75, at their ancestral house, had shifted his residence to Ooty in Tamil Nadu, where his children are studying. Renju arrived at the Kanjirappally house on Monday.

Their maternal uncle Mathew Scaria also arrived at the spot for mediation after the brothers failed to break the ice.

They were holding discussions during which the brothers started a heated argument in the presence of their uncle.

An enraged George then pulled out his licenced revolver and fired at Renju. A bullet pierced into Renju's head, killing him on the spot. Mathew Scaria, had bullet injuries on his head and chest. A bullet pierced through his head.

Soon, the police arrived on the spot and shifted Renju and Mathew to the hospital. They had taken George, along with his gun, into custody. A grievously injured Mathew died at the hospital by midnight. The victims reportedly had two bullets each on their bodies.