Hyderabad boy succumbs to burns, murder case against Armymen

An 11-year-old boy, who was found burnt under mysterious circumstances in a defence area in Hyderabad, succumbed to his injuries today as the police filed a murder case against unknown Army personnel and intensified their probe to crack the case, which triggered tension.

Shaikh Mustafa, a resident of Siddiqui Nagar, located adjacent to the military area at Mehdipatnam -- who was found by locals with 90 per cent burn injuries on Wednesday -- breathed his last at a private hospital at 8.15 am, the police said.

In his dying declaration recorded before a judicial magistrate, the boy reportedly alleged that "two Army men set him ablaze", they said.

The Army, which on Wednesday said none of its personnel was involved in the incident, condoled the death of the minor and said it is cooperating in the inquiry.

"The Army continues to provide all necessary help and cooperation to the police authorities to carry out a free, fair and transparent investigation to arrive at the truth.

On investigation, it is found that no Army personnel is involved in this incident. The Army condemns this act," a statement by the Army said.

V Satyanarayana, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West Zone), said, "We have now registered a case of murder following the death of the boy against unknown Armymen." The police had initially filed a case of attempt to murder.

The police were still looking for clues. "Actual reasons (for the incident) are still not known. We are in the process of procuring a copy of the dying declaration," ACP (Asifnagar Division) D Srinivas said.

The death sparked tension for some time in Mehdipatnam for a second consecutive day, prompting authorities to deploy anti-riot RAF along with the city police to maintain peace.

No untoward incident has been reported and the situation is peaceful, Satyanarayana said.

The DCP said the boy's family members have alleged that military personnel set him afire. "Investigation is going on. Three teams are handling the case and collecting evidence. A forensic team, dog squad and Central Crime Station -- a wing of Hyderabad Police -- are working on it," he said.