Rajkot: A five-year-old boy paid with his life in a monetary dispute between his parents and a relative which turned violent in a village of Porbandar district.
The boy, Hikesh Mavda, suffered severe internal injury after being hit on the head by the accused Sonu Baria, a relative of his father Ramesh. Ramesh and his wife Ramtu had gone to Barkharla village to take wages for farm labour from Sonu who had called them for the work around a fortnight ago.
Sonu is the brother-in-law (sister's husband) of Ramesh's wife. Both families are natives of Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh and they have been living in Porbandar district for the last three years, police said.
On Saturday, Ramesh, Ramtu and Hikesh, who live in Singda village, went to Sonu's house asking for Rs 800 that he owed them for farm labour.
However, Sonu refused to give them money and this resulted in heated arguments. However, Sonu suddenly picked up a washing bat and flew into a hitting spree. In the melee, Hikesh was also hit on the head.
The couple then left from there, but Hikesh fainted on the way. He was taken to Porbandar Civil Hospital where he died during treatment, said cops.
Police have detained Sonu and he will be arrested after the Covid-19 test.