A 45-year-old man allegedly hacked to death his wife and two minor daughters at Bhursundi village in Bastar district as he suspected her of having an illicit relationship, police said.
The accused identified as Manglu Ram Morya was arrested on Monday morning for killing his wife Kanak (40) and two daughters Sarita (8) and Basanti (5) in Bhursundi village of Bhatpal village panchayat, Bastar District Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Vijay Pandey said.
As per preliminary investigation, the couple quarelled often because Manglu suspected Kanak of having an extra marital affair, he said.
On Sunday night, after having an altercation, Manglu in a fit of rage attacked her and daughters with axe leaving them dead on the spot.
later, in the Monday morning he attempted to torch the bodies by pouring kerosene on them but his relatives and neighbours spotted the smoke coming from the house following which they doused the fire and informed police, Pandey said.
The bodies have been sent for post-mortem, he said.
The accused was booked under section 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of the evidence), Pandey said.