In a shocking incident, a woman in Rajasthan set on fire her seven-year-old son, leaving him badly burnt, after he allegedly stole Rs.5, police said on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on Tuesday in Rampura area in Bikaner district, about 350 km from here. The boy suffered 30 percent burn injuries. Doctors said his condition was now stable.
"We have registered a case against the woman," Bikaner Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar told IANS. "We have not arrested her. Investigation is on."
The boy reportedly took the money from a box without informing the mother as he wanted to buy snacks.
When her mother came to know about it, she thrashed him, poured kerosene on the boy and set him on fire.
Neighbours who heard the child's screams rushed to a hospital. The mother told the police that her intention was to punish the boy.