An alleged witchcraft practitioner has been arrested by the police for murdering his friend and later burying the body in Hanumegowdanapalya on Friday.

The murdered person has been identified as Ramakrishna (48) of Vadaghatta in the taluk. In a complaint lodged by the deceased’s wife with Kunigal police, Ramakrishna had gone to visit his friend Tope Gowda of Hanumegowdanapalya early Friday morning.

However, when Ramakrishna failed to return home in the evening, his wife went to Hanumegowdanapalya and made enquiries.

She learnt that several people had seen Tope Gowda carrying Ramakrishna to the fields. Following this, she went to the spot and found signs of a burial.

Upon receipt of complaint, the police swung into action and arrested Tope Gowda. After sustained interrogation, Tope Gowda is said to have confessed that he had cut his friend’s head off over a financial dispute. Tope Gowda later buried the body in the field, sources added.

DySP T V Prabhakar and CPI Balarame Gowda visited the spot. Locals, however suspect that Tope Gowda, who practised black magic had killed Ramakrishna for some gain.