A resident of Indira Colony was bludgeoned to death by her husband late on Tuesday night. Police have arrested the accused, Sunil Kumar, who cited “illicit relations” of his wife as the motive behind the crime.

According to the police, Sunil worked as a plumber though was unemployed at present, while Kiran (33), the victim, worked as a domestic help.

Relatives of Kiran, however, said Sunil was an alcoholic and he killed her after she refused to give him money for liquor.

The couple has two children — Sandeep (7) and Mansi (5) — who are now in the care of their grandmother.

The incident occurred around 9.45 pm in Indira Colony in Manimajra. The police said an argument was on between the couple when Sunil hit Kiran with a wooden log in a fit of rage.

As a profusely bleeding Kiran collapsed with her skull smashed, Sunil fled, said an officer, adding that Sandeep then rushed to his maternal grandmother Sheela Devi house in the neighbourhood and informed her.

Sheela and her daughter Kanta informed the police after which Kiran was rushed to the PGI where she was declared dead on arrival.

Sheela alleged that Sunil would often beat her daughter who always objected to his drinking habits and had even chopped off her finger earlier. They were married 11 years ago.

Sunil was arrested from near a temple in the locality where he was hiding after the crime, officers said.

Sunil told the police that he was angry with his wife because of her relations with a man in the neighbourhood. He said he had caution Kiran against meeting the man but she did not listen, because of which he killed her.