VIJAYAWADA: A class X student died after being set ablaze allegedly by four people, including three minors, in Andhra Pradesh’s Bapatla district early Friday. The accused allegedly waylaid the minor, who was riding a cycle to his tuition class, poured petrol on him, and set him afire even as he resisted their attempt. The victim received third-degree burns and was admitted to Guntur government hospital where he succumbed during treatment.
In his dying declaration, the victim named the accused, including 21-year-old Venkateswara Reddy, a daily wager from neighbouring Rajavolu village. During the investigation, cops learnt that the boy and his parents had reprimanded Venkateswara for “misbehaving and harassing” the boy’s sister, who is also a minor. Venkateswara and the victim had an altercation over the issue.
The boy’s parents later filed a police complaint alleging that Venkateswara and three minor boys were behind the immolation. Cherkupalli Police registered a murder case and added sections related to stalking. They have also invoked the Pocso Act.