The Dehra Dun police have arrested a man who killed his wife on Thursday evening to propitiate Goddess Kali in the Rajpur area of the town.

Bharat Lal told investigators that the sacrifice was aimed at getting rid of a 'ghost' bothering his 19-year-old son, Sandeep.

Lal was offering prayers at the Kali temple with his wife Kamla Devi when he suddenly took out a sharp-edged weapon and hacked her to death.

He then cut off her tongue and ate it before setting the body on fire.

All this happened in the presence of the couple's three children, Sandeep, Smita (17) and Saloni (13).

A case of murder has been registered against Lal. He has claimed he killed his wife on the directions of Goddess Kali.