KEY POINTS

  • The accused couple took the help of a third man to carry out the killings
  • Both killings were performed at different times over the past six months
  • Both victims were lured to the crime scene with the promise of financial benefits

Two women were abducted and killed as part of a black magic ritual for "economic prosperity" in the southwest Indian state of Kerala, law enforcement officials said.

Cops found the beheaded and dismembered bodies of the two women buried near the house of the suspects while investigating the disappearance of one of the two victims, identified as 52-year-old Padmam, who was reported missing in September in downtown Kochi, according to Onmanorama.

The other victim was found to be 50-year-old Roslie, a lottery agent from the same region, who was killed nearly six months ago.

The two suspects, identified as Bhagaval Singh and his wife Laila, were detained by officials during the investigation.

Senior police officer Nagaraju Chakilam told the outlet that the woman was killed in the accused couple's house and her body was buried after being cut into pieces.

"It was a human sacrifice for the financial benefit of that couple," Chakilam added.

The accused couple reportedly took the help of a man named Shafi to carry out the killing after seeing his social media ad urging people to contact him regarding any ritual to resolve financial problems. Shaji appeared to have convinced Bhagaval and Laila that carrying out a human sacrifice can help solve their financial woes.

Both the women were then lured to the couple's house at different times with the promise of financial benefits for the ritual, Times of India reported.

A similar incident was reported in the central Indian state of Maharashtra in August. A 5-year-old girl was allegedly beaten to death by her parents in an attempt to get rid her of "evil spirits" that were "controlling" her. According to Nagpur city authorities, the child was physically assaulted by her parents during the ritual due to which she lost consciousness and collapsed. The parents carried out the ritual with the help of the girl's 32-year-old aunt, Bansod, during the night and also recorded a video of the entire incident. Both parents and the aunt were later arrested by the police.

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