As many as five police officers, including an inspector and two sub-inspectors, have been suspen­ded following the custodial death of a man who was allegedly involved in the barbaric incident of sacrificing a 15-month-old baby in the belief that they would find hidden treasure.

The case of custodial death has been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), while the case of child sacrifice is being investigated by the district police.

The arrest of seven persons and their confession to child sacrifice at Hasanapur village in Gulbarga taluk sent shock waves among the people.

One of the seven accused in the case is the child’s father.

Briefing reporters, District in-charge Minister Qamarul Islam and Superintendent of Police Amit Singh said a case of murder under Sections 302 and 201 (causing disappearing of evidence, or giving false information to screen offender) of the Indian Penal Code, at Farahatabad police station has been registered against the seven police officials.

On May 21, a missing child complaint was registered. But on May 24, in the wee hours, the mutilated body of the child, Sadiya Ayat, daughter of Shamshad Alam, Pesh Imam of Ferozabad Masjid, was found just behind the house of the Imam.

The police speeded up their investigation and arrested seven persons, including Alam. The accused led the police to the spot the child was sacrificed inside a fort in Hasanapur where extensive blood samples were found. However, its head and limbs could not be traced, as the investigation was hampered by the custodial death of an accused. Two of the accused - Mashak and Razak - were taken to the crime spot where Mashak tried to escape and fell down, injuring his leg. After his treatment, the police continued his interrogation.

According to the police, Mashak developed stomach pain on the night of June 6 and was rushed to Basaveshwar Hospital where the doctors said he was brought dead.

“We don’t know the exact reasons for his death. A judicial inquest has been done.

There are no external injuries on the body of the 38-year-old deceased. We are waiting for post mortem report,’’ said Amit Singh. As per the standing order, the case will be handed over to the CID. The suspended officers are Inspector Basav­a­raj Teli of M B Nagar Station, Gajanan Nayak, PSI of M B Nagar, M S Murali, PSI of Farahatabad, Praveen Kumar and Sidram, police constables of M B Nagar, Sudhir, PC of Farahatabad, and Miyzoddin, PC of the University police station.