Jajpur: A man allegedly beat his 38-year-old wife to death with a stick at Janha village in Panikoili police limits of the district reportedly over a family feud.

The deceased has been identified as Gurubari Pingua, a mother of three, the police said, adding that the accused, Jatipata Pingua, 43, had fled the scene with his eight-year-old son shortly after committing the crime.

Though the incident took place on Sunday night, it was confirmed as a murder case only after the daughter of the deceased filed a complaint with the local police on Monday.

The police said Jatipata, a daily wage earner, was living with his wife and eight-year-old younger son at Janha village. Their lone daughter is married and staying with her in-laws at Rasulpur in the district.

"Jatipata came home on Sunday night and picked up a quarrel with his wife over a family dispute. In a fit of rage, the man beat his wife with a stick, leading to her death on the spot," said investigating officer Puspalata Behera.