Property disputes and immoral relationships had led to gruesome murders even then. Crime records of the British Indian government throw light on brutal killings in Trichinopoly and Tanjore and a caste dispute leading to riots at Kallugamalai in Tinnevelly district. There were also cases of police officers extorting bribes
source https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/gruesome-murders-policing-and-punishment-for-laxity-in-19th-century/article68914867.ece
source https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/gruesome-murders-policing-and-punishment-for-laxity-in-19th-century/article68914867.ece