Bhubaneswar, March 12 -- A 52-year-old man allegedly killed his wife, daughter-in-law, and minor granddaughter late Wednesday night in Gariapali village of Odisha's Deogarh district, police said, adding that the accused is absconding.

Ramesh Garia and his wife Gul (42) had got into a fight on Monday night, following which he ran after her with a pounder tool that he used in construction work, inspector-in-charge of the Kundeigola police station John Kujur said.

"The woman ran into the room of her daughter-in-law to save herself. Ramesh broke through and gave a blow to her head with the pounder, resulting in her death. When the daughter-in-law tried to save Gul, she was also assaulted with the pounder and died on the spot. In the scuffle...