HYDERABAD: The 10-year-old boy who is battling for his life after his father Balu set him ablaze, had been, in the past, allegedly forced into child labour. He was rescued by a team from the Women & Child Welfare department during Operation Smile when he had been working as a helper in a mechanic shop.
After rescuing the boy, KPHB police counselled Balu and his wife for forcing the boy to work as a child labourer. “When Balu was counselled in the past, it came to light that he used to frequently beat his son,” KPHB sub-inspector B Sakram told TOI.
According to police, Balu is an alcoholic. He has an existing record of quarrelling with his family members after consuming alcohol.
On Monday, the 10-year-old boy fell into a ditch while running away from his father while on fire. It was his neighbours and mother who saved the boy by pouring water on him.
He suffered burn injuries on almost all parts of his body. Police said that the turpentine oil that Balu used to set his son ablaze was sourced from a government school close to where Balu and his family’s hut in Kukatpally. The school had been undertaking painting work, due to which the oil was available.
The accused has four children—two daughters and two sons. Balu’s eldest daughter was the one who lodged the complaint at the KPHB police station.
On Monday, the accused had called his son when he was watching TV and asked him to buy a beedi from a nearby shop. By this time, the accused was drunk. Earlier, in front of his hut, Balu had beat his son repeatedly.
After the accused set his son on fire, locals nabbed the accused and handed him over to the police.
Police said that the accused’s family have been living in the city for the past few years after moving from Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh.