Daijiworld Media Network - Nagpur

Nagpur, Mar 5: What began as Holi revelry turned tragic for a four-year-old boy in the Koradi area of Nagpur district after his grandmother allegedly poured boiling water on him in a fit of rage.

The incident occurred on March 3 in Ward No. 2 of the Aramshin locality and was captured on a CCTV camera. Police said the child, identified as Om, was playing outside his house with a spray bottle filled with paint when he accidentally sprayed colour on his grandmother, Sindhu Thackeray.

According to investigators, Thackeray was filling a bucket with water heated over Holi wood when the paint spray incident took place. Enraged, she allegedly flung the boiling water at the child.

Om sustained severe burn injuries below the waist and was immediately rushed to a private hospital in Nagpur. Doctors have estimated that he has suffered around 45 per cent burns. His condition is being closely monitored.

A video of the episode, which has since surfaced online, shows the elderly woman in a black saree carrying a bucket of water. The child approaches her and attempts to spray colour, following which she throws the water at him. The boy is seen screaming in pain and jumping away.

Another woman, reportedly carrying a bucket of cold water, is seen rushing towards the child and pouring it on him in an attempt to ease his pain. Moments later, the grandmother also joins in to pour cold water on the burn injuries.

Police have initiated the process of registering an offence against the woman and further investigation is underway.

The shocking incident has sparked outrage locally, casting a dark shadow over what is otherwise known as the festival of colours and joy.