Hyderabad: 11-year-old dies of burn injuries, blames ‘army men’

While the boy’s parents alleged that some army personnel were involved in the matter, the Army denied the allegations, saying its investigation found “that no Army personnel  is involved in this incident”.

A case of attempt to murder was registered in connection with the incident against unknown persons on Wednesday. Now that the boy has died, the sections have been altered to murder — section 302 of IPC, the DCP said.

The boy was found burnt after being doused with kerosene in the military area. He suffered 90 per cent burns in the incident, police had earlier said.

When asked if police suspected any foul play, the DCP said the boy’s family members were alleging that military personnel set him afire.

“Investigation is going on. Three teams have been formed including forensic, dog squad, besides the central crime station — a wing of Hyderabad city police — are working on it.

“Since the boy, after he suffered burn injuries, apparently kept on telling that two military personnel set him on fire, the family members are accusing the army men of being involved,” he said.

Tension prevailed in Mehdipatnam on Wednesday after the incident but the situation is now peaceful, he said.

The Army had said none of its personnel was 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.