He said that God asked him in a dream the previous night to kill his mother.

35-year-old Thimmappa was arrested on Tuesday, from Chitradurga, Karnataka, for murdering his 65-year-old mother by severing her head with a sickle. He used the severed head to perform her last rites in the house they lived in. He did this following an argument during dinner. However, he said that God asked him in a dream the previous night to kill his mother. He refused to open the door to the house which made neighbours suspicious. The police broke down the door and arrested Thimmappa.

Thimmappa, who owned a shop, blamed his mother for his separation from his wife. He had been living with his mother for the past ten years. His wife had allegedly cited 'irresponsible behaviour' as the reason for the separation, according to The Deccan Chronicle. He blamed his mother for the fallout and continually argued with her over the separation.

His brother and two sisters live in the same village but were not aware of what was going on in their mother's house.

Thimmappa is currently in judicial custody and has been produced in court.