Vadodara: Six persons have been arrested in connection with killing of a leopard in neighbouring tribal-dominated Narmada district, forest officials said today.

The accused were arrested from Rojanar village in Tilakwada taluka on charges of killing the wild animal in Vandh village on September 24.

The mutilated carcass of the female leopard was recovered with a metal noose around its neck.

The accused confessed that they killed the animal for a black magic ritual, the officials said.

A case has been registered against them under various provisions of the Forest and Wild Animal Act, 1972.

Officials suspect that the animal was held by its neck before it was maimed alive.

PTI