PONDA, March 6 -- SANTOSH NAIK

A tragic and shocking incident unfolded in Kasayale Tisk, Usgao, after a childless couple allegedly murdered a five-year-old girl from their neighbourhood in a bid to conceive a baby, driven by their belief in black magic. The body of the child was recovered from the accused neighbour's backyard at around 11 pm, on Thursday. Further charges are expected to be filed.

The couple, identified as Babasaheb Alat (52) and his wife Pooja, residents of Usgao but originally from Miraj, Maharashtra, are accused of kidnapping the young girl, murdering her, and then burying her body.

According to Ponda Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP) Shivram Vajgankar, the incident was reported on Wednesday when the mother of t...