Three persons were arrested on Sunday on charges of murdering lawyer R. Elamvaludhi near Salem Collectorate on August 5.
The accused were identified as S. Senthil (40) of Kottai, his brother S. Ashokan (32) of Seshanchavadi and their friend T. Ashok Kumar (27) of Attur.
City Police Commissioner K.C. Mahali told reporters that Senthil, a silver trader, purchased a land opposite the house of the lawyer and was constructing a house.
Elamvaludhi reportedly told Senthil that the property be sold to him but, Senthil refused to sell the land and continued with the construction.
Senthil on April 2, 2013, lodged a complaint with Salem Town Police, stating that silver weighing 45 kg and cash Rs. 50,000, kept in his manufacturing unit in Fort, were stolen. During inquiry, Senthil told the police that since he refused to sell the land, Elamvaludhi could have committed the crime.
According to the Commissioner, Senthil along with Ashokan and Ashok Kumar, a private bus conductor, planned to kill the lawyer, as he was being troubled by Elamvaludhi.
On August 5, around 5.15 a.m., Ashokan and Ashok Kumar on a motorcycle intercepted the lawyer, who was on a morning walk, and killed him and fled the scene.
Mr. Mahali said Senthil and Ashokan on Sunday morning surrendered before the Village Administrative Officer while the special team of the city police arrested Ashok Kumar.
