Patna: A carpenter beheaded his wife with an axe, grabbed the severed head by the hair and then walked for hours before he was arrested.

Police said the man was angry with his wife after she refused to take their daughter to a health centre for vaccination.

The horrific incident occurred in remote Thakania village in Darbhanga district, known as the cultural capital of Bihar, on Thursday morning but was reported in the media yesterday.

Carpenter Hira Yadav, 30, regularly argued with wife Rina Devi, 25.

Yadav lost his cool when his wife refused his request concerning their daughter during Vijayadashmi, which marks the killing of demon king Ravana by Rama, perceived by the Hindus as the triumph of good over evil.

Bitter argument

According to reports, the wife was against getting the child vaccinated as she wanted to go to the fair and see statues of the deity Durga at puja venues.

Her refusal, reports said, led to a bitter argument between the two during which the wife made comments about Yadav's mother. Seething with anger, the man attacked his wife with an axe, chopping off her head.

After committing the crime, Yadav walked through many puja venues in the vicinity, carrying the severed head by the hair in one hand and the weapon in the other as a crowd of villagers followed, keeping their distance.

Police eventually arrested Yadav, taking him into custody. The beheaded body was sent for post-mortem.

"The incident was not premeditated. It seems to be an act of frenzy and momentary rage," said the investigating officer.

Vikash Vaibhav, the local superintendent of police, said: "The accused has already confessed to his crime and thus a case of murder has been registered against him.

"But this is indeed a very horrible incident."