Boy retracts statement

Vadodara, Jan 3 (UNI) A case of attempt to murder was changed to attempted suicide after a 13-year-old boy, who is fighting for life with more than 80 per cent burns, retracted his statement.

The victim Anil Parmar was shifted to the SSG Civil Hospital here on Sunday from Parvata village in neighbouring Anand district and alleged that he was set ablaze by three-members of a Patel family of his village for damaging standing crop while trying to catch a stray kite in their farm.

Umreth taluka police, investigating into the crime, today claimed that the boy had retracted his earlier statement after FSL experts and police investigation brought forth the fact that the incident took place in the boy's house, not in that of the accused as stated by him.

In a fresh statement, the boy had admitted that he tried to commit suicide by pouring kerosene on his body following physical assault by the Patels and later by his own father, Ram Parmar.

The victim's father had corroborated the facts, the police said, adding that even as a case under section 307 of the Indian Penal Code was registered on the basis of Anil's initial statement, against Kaushik Patel, his son Amit and their relative Rajit Patel, no arrest was made in view of the sudden development in the case.

Meanwhile, police have registered a complaint lodged by the Patel family against the boy's uncle for allegedly assaulting their family members in connection with the 'false' allegation of attempt to murder. The condition of the child is stated to be very critical.

UNI