Family members of Abhay console his mother in Siwan on Tuesday. Picture by Rakesh K. Singh

A six-year-old boy was reportedly made a “human sacrifice” to cure another child at Singarpatti village in Siwan district.

The incident occurred on Sunday at the village under the jurisdiction of Hussainganj police station, around 145km northwest of Patna.

It came to light when the suspect Rakesh Chaudhary was arrested on Tuesday. Chaudhary has confessed to the crime and has told the police that he was asked to do so by a tantrik to save the life of his ailing son.

Confirming the arrest, Siwan superintendent of police Vivek Kumar said the allegations of the deceased’s father Achhelal Chaudhary that his son Abhay had been made a “human sacrifice” were being verified.

Abhay’s body was found near Pratappur canal, around 4km from the village on Sunday. Materials used to perform the ritual were also found at the site.

The SP said Abhay was last seen with Rakesh, who had offered chocolate and snacks to him at the local market.

“Since the victim’s father had lodged a case of kidnapping against Rakesh, he was arrested and booked on charges of kidnapping and subsequent murder,” he told The Telegraph over phone from Siwan.

Abhay, the only son of Achhelal, had gone missing while playing outside his house on July 26. Some locals had spotted Abhay with Rakesh in the market a day before the incident. When the victim’s father inquired from Rakesh about his son’s whereabouts, he said Abhay would return soon.

Fearing foul play, Acchelal, a farmer, lodged an FIR at the Hussainganj police station.

Villagers told the police that Rakesh used to frequently visit doctors in the area to get a cure for his eight-year-old son, who has been unwell for sometime.

“Rakesh met the tantrik, who told him that his son was under the influence of some evil spirit and he had to sacrifice the son of his neighbour if he wanted to get his son cured,” a police officer at Hussainganj police station said.

Abhay’s mother Kiran Devi, however, blamed the police for failing to save her son.

“Had the police swung into action, my son would have been alive today. The police didn’t take notice of the complaint and remained inactive for two days. They initiated the probe only when the body was found,” she alleged.

The grieving mother also demanded stringent action against the erring policemen. “The person who murdered my son should be hanged,” she said.

According to the post-mortem report Abhay was strangled to death.