Witness to mother’s rape, teen burnt alive

A 17-year-old Bihar boy, Chintu Kumar, who reportedly saw his mother raped seven years ago died of burn injuries after he was allegedly set on fire by the accused in the case in Nawada district on Sunday. HT reports.

A 17-year-old Bihar boy, Chintu Kumar, who reportedly saw his mother raped seven years ago died of burn injuries after he was allegedly set on fire by the accused in the case in Nawada district on Sunday.

Police, however, said the “mentally unsound” boy appeared to have “self-immolated”. Kumar, the prime witness in the rape case, was supposed to appear in court on Monday. His sister had been burnt alive under mysterious circumstances three years ago.

Kumar was alone at his house, when the accused allegedly poured kerosene on him and set him on fire. His mother, brother and sister had gone to the market. Kumar’s mother Taruna Devi has lodged a complaint against nine persons at the Narhat police station, alleging that they bolted the door of the house from outside after setting her son on fire around noon.

After seeing flames coming from the house, neighbours broke down the door and found a badly burnt Kumar, who was rushed to the Sadar Hospital where he succumbed to injuries.

In her FIR, Devi added Kumar was the main witness of her rape in front of her children by four persons in 2005. Her alleged rapists are reportedly distant relatives. The case is pending in a trial court.