A carpenter from a village in Tufanganj subdivision of Cooch Behar was beaten to death by his wife on Thursday morning.

The wife then went to the police station and surrendered while admitting to her crime.

Police recovered the man’s body and started a probe.

Sources said Ratan Sutradhar, 45, a resident of Battala in Andraran-Fulbari area of Tufanganj, had problems with his wife Fulkumari for some time.

On Wednesday night, the neighbours heard the couple fighting among themselves.

“On Thursday morning, some residents came to know that Ratan was dead at home. Later, we came to know that his wife killed him with a wooden plank and surrendered before the police,” said Shibu Das, a panchayat member.

According to villagers, Fulmari, in her mid-30s, was Ratan’s second wife, and his first wife had died some years ago of burn injuries. This was a cause of speculation among villagers and also created discord between Ratan and Fulkumari.

Ratan and Fulkumari have two children.