A father was arrested on a charge of murder after allegedly slitting the throat of a boy as part of a human sacrifice ritual, police in Nepal said.

Kudiya police said that they have arrested 5 people in connection with the death of 10-year-old Jivan Kohar, who was murdered as a human sacrifice to heal a sick man.

The boy’s decomposed body was recovered from a bush on Friday. The child's throat had been slit.

The father of the sick man had confessed to the murder, saying that he had to repel evil spirits from his sick son after seeking the advice of a religious person.

He lured the child with the help of neighbors to a secluded area by offering him cookies and money. They then performed the religious rite before throwing his body into the bush.

All five men have been charged with murder.