Bhubaneswar, Sep 24 (IANS): Two brothers were arrested in Odisha's Sambalpur district for killing an elderly man for allegedly practicing sorcery, police said Tuesday.

Girigobardhan Guru and his elder brother Dhuba allegedly attacked with an axe and iron rod 63-year-old Fakir Mohan Das and his wife Aladin Monday in Tamparkela village, about 330 km from state capital Bhubaneswar.

Fakir died on the spot, while Aladin sustained critical injuries, Sasan police station chief B.K. Pradhan told IANS.

According to him, Girigobardhan works as a school teacher and his family has a long-standing dispute with the elderly couple for allegedly practicing sorcery.

A few years ago,Girigobardhan's 13-year-old daughter suffered from some eye ailment which could not be cured.

Accusing the couple of practicing black magic on the girl, Girigobardhan and his brother first attacked Aladin when she went out to pluck some flowers.

As she cried for help, her husband Fakir rushed to the spot to rescue her. The brothers then also attacked him with an axe and an iron rod. Fakir died on the spot, and Aladin sustained serious injuries.

"Police have arrested both the accused. They have confessed to the crime," Pradhan said.

Aladin was shifted by other villagers to a local hospital where her condition is stated to be serious, he said.