Sorceresses in police custody. (TOI Photo)

BHOPAL: Seven people including four sorceresses stabbed a man, chopped his arms, burned him alive and danced around him until he was done to ashes.This horrendous crime was committed in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh in front of his hapless wife and 10-year-old son on Monday night.Police reacted to the murder on Tuesday by arresting seven people including four women from the tribal dominated are where many still believe that witchcraft exists and rival sorcerers are often killed.Deceased Brijlal resident of Dindori district had approached sorcerer Parvati for treatment of his son, said police.As soon as they reached the ashram Parvati branded Brijlal as a 'sorcerer' and ordered her disciples to kill him. Subsequently six people including four women - who were learning to practicing witch-craft - stabbed him with a trishul (traditional trident) taking turns.Later Parvati instructed them to drop the trident and use an axe on him.When Brijlal began to writhe around on the ground, accused doused him with kerosene and set him ablaze.As he screamed in agony, more kerosene-soaked cloths were thrown on top of him.Moreover they celebrated the 'killing' by dancing around his burning body until it reduced to ashes.His wife and son were forced to stay away from the spot during the macabre conduct. They screamed for help, but to no avail. Ashram was located in a remote forest area.Brijlal's wife and son were allowed to leave the ashram with a warning to not to report the matter. They were threatened of dire consequences. They travelled all night to reach Niwas police station and inform the matter."He was stabbed, axed and burnt alive. They danced around Brijlal when he was screaming," they told police.All sorcerers including Parvati, Bhagwati, Kusia, Surtia, Mukesh, Dumari Singh and Gend Singh were arrested and charged with murder. Police also seized the trishuls, axe, harmonium, and drum besides some literatures on black-magic from the spot.