As Punishment For Taking Phone, 18-Year-Old's Hand Set on Fire

An 18-year-old boy's hand was set on fire in Tamil Nadu by two men, including his cousin,  as punishment for taking a mobile phone.

The teenager was tied up and beaten before the men allegedly poured petrol on his right hand and set it on fire. He has been in a hospital in Palacode since the incident on Friday.

"My son is a mentally-challenged school dropout. He says he had returned the phone after listening to music. How can they do this? Please help me get justice. I'm not educated," said the boy's father Krishnan, a daily wage labourer.

The two attackers were arrested on Saturday and booked for  "causing simple injuries." Disabled rights activists have demanded tougher charges against them.

They have written to the state government and demanded Rs five lakh compensation for the boy.

"We were not told he is mentally challenged. We will certainly alter the case based on medical reports on his condition and the nature of the injury," said a police officer.