Thanjavur: A 36-year-old woodcutter was hacked to death by a three-member gang near Kapisthalam in Thanjavur. Previous enmity due to money transaction is said to be the reason behind the murder.

The victim, Prabhu of Visithra Rajapuram village, had allegedly borrowed Rs. 26,000 from Malathi, wife of Vijayabharathi of the same village and had not repaid it. This led to a quarrel between the two in January and in the melee Malathi was attacked.

Based on Malathi’s complaint, Kapisthalam police registered a case against Prabhu, his wife Jayanthi and his brother Arun. However, the three managed to get anticipatory bail.

It is learnt Vijayabharathi’s brother Vijayaraj and two others waylaid Prabhu last night when he was walking towards his house and asked about the money. A quarrel broke out. The three attacked Prabhu with a sickle.

Prabhu, who sustained multiple cut injuries, was rushed to the Medical College Hospital in Thanjavur, where he died today.

The Kapisthalam police have registered a case and are on look out for the three, who are at large.