A four year old boy sustained serious burn injuries in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district after his grandmother allegedly poured boiling water on him during a Holi related incident. Police have initiated legal action and started an investigation after a video of the incident circulated widely on social media.
The incident occurred on March 3 in Ward No. 2 of the Aramshin area in the Koradi locality of Nagpur. According to police, Om Harish Wange, 4, was playing outside his house with a spray bottle or pichkari filled with coloured water used during Holi celebrations.
According to officials from Koradi Police Station, the child accidentally sprayed colour on his grandmother, Sindhu Thackeray. At the time, she was filling a bucket with water that had been heated using wood from a nearby Holi bonfire prepared for Holika Dahan. A police official said she became angry and allegedly poured the boiling water on the child.
The incident was captured on a CCTV camera installed near the house. The footage, which later circulated widely on social media, reportedly shows the woman approaching the child with a bucket and throwing the hot water on him shortly after he sprayed colour.
Reports said the child suffered severe scald injuries, particularly below the waist. He was rushed to a private hospital in Nagpur for treatment. Some reports stated that the burns affected about 45 percent of his body, while others estimated that the injuries covered about 18 to 20 percent.
People present nearby rushed to help after hearing the child scream in pain. Reports stated that another person at the scene poured cold water on the child shortly after the incident in an attempt to reduce the burn injury before he was taken to the hospital.
Burn injuries caused by hot liquids are known as scald burns. These occur when skin comes into contact with hot liquids or steam. Children are particularly vulnerable because their skin is thinner than that of adults. Exposure to very hot liquids can damage deeper layers of skin in a short time.
Medical literature notes that scald burns can worsen quickly in young children because their thinner skin allows heat to penetrate deeper tissues more rapidly. Such burns may cause significant fluid loss and increase the risk of infection, which can complicate recovery if treatment is delayed.
Following the incident, Koradi Police initiated the process of registering an offence against the woman and began an investigation. Authorities said they are reviewing the CCTV footage and collecting statements as part of the inquiry.
The video of the incident has circulated widely online and brought attention to the case while the police investigation continues.
(Rh/MSM)