A man killed his father, brother, sister-in-law, nephew and two nieces in the Khapa-Mohala village, Bhandara district of Vidarbha region in Maharashtra on Friday. The motive -- control of a small piece of agricultural land that the family owns.

Budha Hagru Patle was helped by his son, Gulab, in the killing spree.

The victims were identified as -- Hagru Patle (80), Sudam Hagru Patle (45), Khelanbai Sudam Patle (40), Soni Sudam Patle (17), Vishal Sudam Patle (15) and Kirti Sudam Patle (13).

Budha and Gulab often fought with Hagru, Sudam and the others over the farm land the family owns, the police said.

Budha and Gulab Patle have been arrested. They were picked up from the disputed piece of farm land.

Initial reports in a section of the media said that the accused were 'brothers' of Shishupal Patle, the member of Parliament from Bhandara. However, the victims and the accused are not related to the MP.

Central India News Agency