A 48-year-old drunk man thrashed his wife to death with a log at an under-construction site in Seethanayakanahalli near Jigani on Monday night.

Vellie from Hosur, married labour contractor Raju and they lived in Jigani for the past four years. The couple has three children who work in Tamil Nadu.

Police are probing the motive behind the murder. They said accused Raju is at large and efforts are on to catch him.

Preliminary probe revealed Raju got drunk frequently and quarrelled with Vellie. During the verbal duel on Monday, Vellie rushed out of the house, when Raju grabbed a wooden log and thrashed her repeatedly.

Raju saw Vellie collapse in her own pool of blood and fled. Police suspect he may have gone to his native Tirupattur.

Shivakumar, the building owner, noticed Vellie’s body and alerted Jigani police. Cops rushed to Vellore after Raju’s son confirmed that he had come there.

Neighbours told police that Raju beat up Vellie frequently. A week ago, he had locked her up inside the shed they lived in for a couple of hours. They said since the fight was common, they did not bother on Monday night.