Pilibhit, Jul 28 (IANS): A woman has been arrested after she confessed to killing her husband with an axe and then chopping his body into five pieces in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhut district.

The woman tied her husband to a cot before cutting him into pieces. The deceased was identified as Ram Pal, 55, a resident of Shivnagar in the Gajraula area.

Ram Pal's wife, Dularo Devi, who had eloped with her husband's friend for a few days, returned to the village a month ago and informed her son about her husband's disappearance.

Ram Pal's son Son Pal, who lived nearby with his wife and children, filed a missing complaint in police station.

Based on suspicion, the police took Dularo Devi into custody and questioned her about her husband's whereabouts.

During questioning, Ram Pal's wife confessed to committing the crime and told the police she had killed Ram Pal on Sunday night while he was sleeping.

Dulari also told police she disposed of the body parts in a nearby canal.

Police said they were seeking the help of divers to retrieve Ram Pal's body parts. Meanwhile, the blood-stained clothes of the deceased and a mattress were found in the canal.

Further investigations in the case underway, a police spokesman said.