Hyderabad: 11 year old boy dies after being set ablaze, allegedly by army officer

The eleven-year-old boy who had been allegedly set on fire in the high security military area in Mehdipatnam in Hyderabad on Wednesday died on Thursday.

“The boy was found burnt after being doused with kerosene in the military area. He suffered 90 percent burn injuries in the incident,” ACP (Asifnagar division) D Srinivas told PTI on Wednesday night.

The boy was at first taken to a government hospital and then shifted to a private hospital after the incident which occurred at around 2:45 pm, he said. In a statement, the boy had said that an army man had set him on fire.

The Army has said however that none of its personnel is involved in the incident.

“On investigation, it is found that no army personnel is involved in this incident. The Army condemns this act. All necessary assistance is being provided to the police authorities to carry out a detailed investigation to arrive at the truth,” a statement by the Army said.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner M Mahender Reddy and other senior officers visited the spot, the ACP said, adding that investigation is underway as to how the boy was set on fire and who was responsible.

Additional forces were rushed to the spot, the ACP said when asked if tension prevailed in the area following the incident.

“A case has been registered in connection with the matter,” the senior police officer said but did not divulge under what sections and which Act the case was booked.

(With inputs from PTI)