Cuttack: In an act of extreme cruelty, a seven-year-old boy was allegedly branded with a hot knife by his stepmother in Odisha.
The shocking incident was reported from CDA Sector-7 area of Cuttack where the minor boy was living with his father and stepmother.
According to sources, the accused woman had allegedly been forcing the minor boy to do household chores and used to beat him up. On Monday, the woman reportedly heated a kitchen knife and branded the child after he failed to finish some chores. The minor suffered burn injuries in his hands, face, nose and lips.
According to sources, the minor boy’s mother left home two years back and did not return following which his father Tarak Sahu married another woman. A fruit seller by profession, Sahu said he could not send his son to school due to financial problems.
“I was away from home for work. When I noticed the burn injuries, I questioned my wife. She replied that my son accidentally burnt himself,” said Sahu.
After the incident came to light, members of Cuttack Child Welfare Committee (CWC) rescued the minor and admitted him to hospital. The CWC also lodged a complaint against the woman at Markatnagar Police Station in this regard.
“Due to the burn injuries, the minor boy is having difficulties in opening his mouth. He was starving since morning. We provided him food,” said CWC member, Narayan Shukla.
(Edited by Bikram Jena)
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