An 80-year-old Hindu priest found himself without a leg after two men attacked him Tuesday and off right limb, apparently believing that it could cure illnesses.

Yanadi Kondaiah, a mystic, claimed that believers who touched his leg would either be healed or that their wishes would be fulfilled. Kondaiah is still in serious condition after the attack.

However, he appears to be responding well to treatment, according to police.

Senior police officer R. Ravindranath Reddy said authorities are still looking for the assailants and the missing body part.

"This seems to be a case of superstition. The two people might have taken away the leg hoping to benefit from its magical powers," said Pendakanti Dastgiri, the police officer investigating the case.

Initial probe shows the attackers visited Kondaiah and got him drunk before cutting his right leg with a sickle. Thereafter, they left the man to die.

Locals rushed him to a hospital.