Police said the arrested person was identified as K. Munusamy, a wage labourer. He was living with his wife M. Meena, 27, two children and his mother Dhanalakshmi, 60, in the village.
Initial inquiry revealed that Munusamy had not been employed for over a year. As a result, his mother Dhanalakshmi and wife Meena had to take up agricultural and domestic work to keep the family running.
Police said that, around 11 a.m. on Thursday, an argument broke out between Munusamy and Dhanalakshmi after she asked her son to find a job to meet family expenses. During the heated argument, Munusamy allegedly hit his mother on the head with a wooden log.
Police said that Dhanalakshmi collapsed on the spot. Immediately, neighbours and relatives rushed to the house and admitted her at the Government Taluk Hospital in Arakkonam, where doctors declared her brought dead. A case was registered by Arakkonam Taluk police. Munusamy was arrested and lodged at Central Prison in Vellore. Further probe is underway.