Express News Service By

BALANGIR: Two people were forwarded to court in the child sacrifice case in the district on Sunday. They are Banke Behera and Hrusikesh Dash.

A seven-year-old child was found murdered with his tongue slit in Gandhrabadh village on Saturday.

The body of Dasrath, son of Jalestry Parabhoi of Jharelpadar village was found floating in a pond. Bangomunda police had arrested four persons - Chhanda Charan Dash, Banki Behera, Hrusikesh Dash and Lingaraj Dash in this connection.

Police said Behera killed the boy after being advised by Dash, who is a tantrik. Behera is suffering from mental disease and has undergone treatment in several hospitals in the past. Ten years back, he was involved in a murder case but was acquitted due to lack of evidence.

On the advice of Dash that if he sacrifices a child, he will be cured of the disease, Behera kidnapped Dashrath from near his house on September 26 and killed him near a pond near Tetelpara village.

During interrogation, Behera confessed to his crime and said he murdered the boy to get cured from the disease.

Titilagarh SDPO Dillip purohit said police have detained another two people in this connection and further investigation is on.