In connivance with a sorcerer Dayalu Dora, one Jarbi Gahir had allegedly strangled his nephew Ajit to death on November 2, Kalahandi Superintendent of Police S A Khan said.
While investigating the incident, police had stumbled upon the body packed in a gunny bag bereft of its arm and skull in Kumcot forests on November 5, they said.
Even as police had launched a manhunt to nab the culprit with the help of sniffer dogs and scientific experts, the accused fearing arrest had thrown the bones in a cotton field.
However, the dog squad spotted the body parts and police suspected involvement of Gahir in the incident, police said.
Gahir, sorcerer Dora and two villagers were arrested, he said, adding, Gahir admitted to the crime during interrogation.