Police arrested five people on Friday in connection with an alleged human sacrifice ritual, a day after a 40-year-old man’s headless body was found in Odisha’s Balangir district, police said.Police officers said Santosh Kharsel’s body was found near a pond in Bagada village on ThursdayPolice officers said Santosh Kharsel’s body was found near a pond in Bagada village on Thursday and that the killing is suspected to have been driven by the belief that human sacrifice would bring wealth, prosperity and well-being to the accused’s family.Also Read | Man arrested for strangling acquaintance to death in Greater Noida5 arrested in murderThe five people arrested in connection with Kharsel’s murder, a resident of Tebada Munda village, include Shatrughna Sahu, his mother, brother and sister-in-law.“Sahu had been performing occult rituals at his house for some time, worshipping a stone and a copper serpent idol. A few days ago Sahu invited Kharsel to his house for a meal and allegedly mixed an intoxicating substance into his food. After Kharsel lost consciousness, Sahu carried out ritual prayers around midnight before beheading him with a sharp-edged weapon,” said Inspector General of Police (Northern Range) Himanshu Lal.Police suspect the victim’s blood was offered on the worship stone as part of the alleged ritual. “The victim’s severed head was dug out from the accused’s house. The crime scene has also been recreated as part of the investigation,” Lal said.Police said inquiries revealed Kharsel was last seen with Sahu, leading officers to question him. Police seized a blood-stained sharp weapon suspected to have been used in the killing.