Keonjhar: An elderly man was allegedly beaten to death on suspicion of practising witchcraft at Sendhakap village under Sadar Police limits of the district on Saturday.
According to sources, one Dinabandhu Munda of the village was allegedly murdered while he was sleeping in his house late on Saturday night. Dinabandhu's family members alleged that seven persons barged into their house and hacked Dinabandhu to death with sharp weapons.
Family members of the deceased lodged a police complaint at Sadar Police Station today morning.
Asked about the incident, local village head Satyabhama said that Dinabandhu might have been murdered on suspicion of practising sorcery.
"Based on the FIR, we have detained seven persons for interrogation. A case has been registered against them and further investigation is on," said IIC of Sadar Police Station, Swarnaprabha Pradhan.
Sources said that a dispute had erupted in the village earlier in connection with allegations over sorcery practice by Dinabandhu. He allegedly used to collect bones from the village cremation ground and used to perform black magic.