A 46-year-old man who murdered his brother in Lautoka three years ago has been given mandatory life imprisonment.

He will have to serve a minimum term of 12 years before a pardon may be considered.

The court heard that in April 2015, Shalendra Sami and his brother Chandra Baskaran had a fight.

During the fight, Sami’s fingers got injured and then the deceased Baskaran brought a kitchen knife.

The Court heard that during the struggle Sami pushed Baskaran’s hand away and as a result, the knife struck Baskaran’s neck.

The court heard when the deceased fell on the floor, Sami stabbed him in the back again.

He then called his mother who was at a neighbours place and confessed to killing his brother.

The court heard the incident was initially reported as a case of suicide.