A couple in Goa’s Usgao village, was arrested on Friday for the alleged murder of a 5-year-old girl from their neighborhood, police said. Babasaheb Alar, 52, and his wife Pooja, 45, confessed to killing the child and burying her body in their backyard, claiming they were following the advice of an occult practitioner who promised the act would resolve their personal struggles.

The horrific incident came to light after the girl’s parents reported her missing on Wednesday, March 5. Deputy Superintendent of Police (Ponda) Shivram Vaigankar told reporters that CCTV footage captured the child entering the couple’s home but never leaving, raising immediate suspicion. When confronted, the childless couple admitted to the crime, revealing they had been advised by a black magic practitioner that sacrificing a child would end their unspecified "woes." The girl’s body was later unearthed from their compound, confirming their chilling confession.

Police have charged Babasaheb and Pooja with murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and destruction of evidence under Section 201. The investigation continues, with authorities probing the role of the unnamed occultist who allegedly influenced the couple’s actions.

The case has stunned the quiet community, spotlighting the persistence of superstition-driven crimes in India. Despite Goa’s modern reputation, such beliefs occasionally fuel violence, often targeting vulnerable children. Residents are reeling from the betrayal, as the accused were known to the victim’s family. Authorities have vowed a thorough probe to ensure justice for the young victim.