Kochi, June 29: A three-year-old child from Mannanthala in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram sustained severe burns after hot tea fell on him. The incident occurred on June 24, and the child is currently receiving treatment at SAT Hospital. Mannanthala police have registered a case and took the boy's maternal grandfather into custody.

The New Indian Express said the child’s father, Abhijith, reported that his son is recovering from the burns but is experiencing difficulty walking. Following a complaint filed by the child’s mother, Sreekutty, the Juvenile Justice Board recorded the child’s statement. The child allegedly stated that his grandfather, Uthaman, threw hot tea on him after he returned from nursery school. Kerala Shocker: One-Day-Old Baby Hurled to Death From Apartment in Kochi, Police Question Family.

'Certain Issues Within Family', Say Police

On Friday, Mannanthala Police took Uthaman into custody after receiving an intimation from the Juvenile Justice Board. Preliminary investigations revealed that Uthaman, who works in loading, was at a waiting shed at his workplace and not at home when the incident occurred. “There are certain issues within the family, and as per preliminary investigation, Uthaman is not guilty. CCTV footage and other evidence support this,” police sources said.

For further investigation, Uthaman has been asked to report to the police station on Saturday morning. The child, whose parents are from Vattiyoorkkavu, was living with his grandparents as his parents were away for work. Abhijith, the child’s father, is a flower vendor at the Chalai market, and Sreekutty, the child’s mother, works as a maid in Bengaluru. Kerala Shocker: Teenage Girl Dies Days After Father Thrashes, Force-Feeds Her Pesticide Over Inter-Faith Relationship in Ernakulam.

The child’s grandmother immediately took him to Peroorkada Hospital after he suffered burns. A neighbour informed Sreekutty about the incident, and upon her return, the child was shifted to SAT Hospital. Following this, Sreekutty filed a complaint with the Juvenile Justice Board. After the child’s statement was recorded, Abhijith alleged that Uthaman, Sreekutty’s stepfather, had previously assaulted the child. He also claimed that despite filing a complaint through Childline, the police initially did not register a case, accusing the grandfather of repeatedly assaulting the child.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 29, 2024 05:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).