The incident occurred a week ago in Awsadhi Sarai, Ward No 11, Hodal subdivision. Police sources said the tantrik's wife is also reportedly involved in the conspiracy.

Though the child was found dead on April 1, the police registered a case of murder three days later after the post-mortem report confirmed that the boy had been strangulated.

The boy's body was found in a pen meant for donkeys at some distance from the house.

The boy had been playing near the accused's house in the afternoon, when tantrik Khub Chand persuaded the boy, Tej Pal, to come to his house. Once the boy was in the house, he fed the boy after which his wife reportedly gave the child a bath, said a police source.

Then Tej Pal was reportedly made to sit before a "Devi" for sacrifice. Amidst mantras and ritual dancing, the child was strangulated by thetantrik.

"Even as the boy lay gasping on the floor, the tantrik and his wife moved around him reciting mantras," said the official.

By the time the puja ended late in the evening the child had reportedly died.

The boy's body was thrown among the animals in the night, said the official.

According to the tantrik's confession, he went off to a religious place, a day after the incident.

Surprisingly, after his return the tantrik visited the boy's house and even paid his condolences to the bereaved family.

Upon interrogation, the tantrik confessed to having killed the boy after he was instructed by a guru to kill a few children during Navratra if he wanted to earn wealth. The police believe that the tantrik would not have hesitated to conduct more such "child" sacrifices if he had not been apprehended in time.

A case of murder has been registered against the tantrik by the police.