Indian Police have arrested five people believed of having done a human sacrifice nearly four years ago. This was discovered after they found the victims headless body at a Hindu temple which left the officers shocked.

The victim, Shanti Shaw , 64 was killed and decapitated with a machete in 2019 after visiting the holy temple in Guwahati, a city in northeast of India.

The police had n leads in the case until they discovered Shaw’s body in early January, leading to the renewal of the case , several culprits were arrested while others managed to flee.

“The five planned the killing of the woman,” Guwahati police commissioner Diganta Barah told reporters.” A total of 12 people took part.”

The commissioner said that the ringleader Pradeep Pathak 52, had planned the killing as part of a religious rite to mark the anniversary of his brother’s death.

“The accused apparently believed that the sacrifice would appease the soul of the deceased,” he said.

Pathak and four others were taken into custody between March 25 and April 1, with the police still searching for the others.

Ritual Killings are usually done to please deities and are more common in tribal and remote areas, where beliefs of witch craft and cults is widespread.

In last year, two men were arrested for allegedly killing a six year old in the capital of New Delhi.

The culprits told the police they killed the child as an offering to the hindu god Shiva to get rich.

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