7-Year-Old Boy Poured Diesel On 14-Year-Old Neighbor, Set Him On Fire

A 7-year-old boy has been booked for murder on Wednesday, June 15, after he allegedly killed his 14-year-old neighbor by pouring diesel on the victim and setting him ablaze in Rajasthan, India.

The 14-year-old victim, who had suffered around 60 percent burn injuries after the incident, had been undergoing treatment at MBS Hospital for about a month. However, he succumbed to his burn injuries and died while being treated on Wednesday, June 15, the Times Of India reported.

According to the statement given by the 14-year-old victim before his death, a scuffle and an argument erupted between him and his 7-year-old friend while they were playing near their homes on May 13. In a fit of rage, the 7-year-old boy allegedly went to his father's auto-rickshaw which was parked nearby. The underage assailant then took a bottle of diesel.

The minor returned to confront the victim and began hurling the diesel all over his teenage pal. The boy then proceeded to set him on fire with a matchstick. The victim, who suffered grievous burn injuries in the attack, was immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment.

Based on the statements given by the victim during treatment, police officers lodged a case against the 7-year-old boy for an attempt to murder under Section 307 of the IPC (Indian Penal Code). However, after his victim died during treatment on Wednesday, the authorities filed Section 302 (murder charges) against the 7-year-old boy as well.

The accused minor boy and his parents, who are based out of Madhya Pradesh, have been living in a rented house in Kota's Prem Nagar Colony. The suspect's father drives an auto-rickshaw for a living. After the incident on May 13, the minor boy's family moved back to their hometown in Madhya Pradesh.

Following the shocking incident, Udhyog Nagar police officers filed an application at a local court seeking advice in the matter and permission to conduct a medical test to determine the age of the accused minor boy.

Meanwhile, the victim's body has been handed over to his family members after an autopsy.