Police retrieved the body lying in a pool of blood in the couple's house at Dashipur, about 25 km from here early today, they said.
The victim Manorama Mallick (35) was the sitting Sarpanch of Balana-Dashipur Gram Panchayat.
The assailant Arakhita Mallick dealt an axe blow on his wife during midnight hours yesterday. The body bore deep cut on head. The victim bled profusely and died on the spot.
The incident occurred when their minor daughters were fast asleep in an adjoining room, inspector of Marshaghai police station, Mrutunjaya Swain, said.
Immediately after committing the crime, the assailant rushed to the police station to surrender.
"We were shocked to hear it at late night hours. The accused had broken down and was repenting for committing such a heinous act. The axe that he used to kill his spouse was seized," he said.
The body was later sent for post mortem and the assailant forwarded to court under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, he said.
