A man allegedly stabbed his wife to death following a dispute linked to a a theft case.

According to police sources, the deceased was identified as Vijaya, 50, wife of Panneerselvam from Thanjavur district. She had joined as a domestic help in a house at Selaiyur last December through a manpower agency.

Within a week, she allegedly fled the house after decamping with 35 sovereigns of gold jewellery. Based on a complaint lodged by the employer, the Selaiyur Police registered a case and launched an investigation after she went on the run.

After days of searching, the police traced Vijaya, and her husband, Panneerselvam, who were hiding in Melmaruvathur, on May 29, and brought them to the Selaiyur police station for inquiry.

Following two days of questioning, the police handed them over to the manpower agent for safe custody and instructed the agent to produce the couple whenever required for further inquiry.

The agent accommodated them in a separate room at a house in Mambalam. In the early hours of Monday, the couple allegedly had a quarrel and attacked each other with knives. Hearing their cries, the manpower agent and others rushed to the room and found the couple lying in a pool of blood.

Vijaya was found dead, while her husband was struggling for life with severe injuries. The police rushed the injured man to a hospital for treatment. Further investigation is under way.