Karnataka police As news of the arrests happened a mob gathered outside the brother and sisters house

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Local police claim a “sorcerer” told the family it was the only way to undo “black magic” and it is alleged the girl, Ayesha Mohammed Nurulla, was murdered by her own uncle, Mohammed Wasil.



The police said: “Naseem Taj suggested that Wasil’s brother Mohammed Rafiq could be cured of paralytic stroke if a girl was sacrificed.

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To be cured of this, he had to sacrifice a minor girl within 40 days Police statement

“She had suggested that Rafiq had been gripped by evil spirits and paralysed, and to be cured of this, he had to sacrifice a minor girl within 40 days.”



Wasil, who worked as a secretary at a local mosque, reportedly concocted the murder after he was advised by Naseem Taj, who allegedly practiced black magic.

The uncle is then said to have helped in efforts to find the girl and even went with the family to file a complaint at the police station.



Reshma Taj, Ayesha’s aunt, said: “Wasil even prayed for the girl’s safe return and helped make an announcement about her missing at the nearby mosque.”

GETTY Such "black magic" rituals are not uncommon in India, particularly in rural areas

The murder was discovered after residents found the body of the girl inside a bag, dumped on the outskirts of the city, Hosahalli.



Police claim Wasil confessed the crime when interrogated. He is claimed to have said Ayesha was returning from her father’s shop, when he and a boy kidnapped her and took her away, after gagging her mouth with plastic and a piece of cloth.

GETTY Black magic has been blamed for the murder