An eighth standard student, Vempati Praveen Kumar, who was staying in a private home, allegedly set himself on fire and suffered critical burns at Kambampadu village in Krishna district. He was referred to the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Vijayawada and his condition is stated to be critical.
Praveen Kumar, a resident of Marepalli village, allegedly doused himself with petrol and set on fire on January 26. However, the incident came to light on Monday. The boy was staying at the Mother Teresa Orphanage Home.
Mild tension prevailed in the village with rumours spreading that the hostel warden poured petrol and set the boy on fire as he was making much noise in the hostel.
60% burns
According to Nuzvid Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) V. Srinivas, the home was being run by Katuru Venkateshwara Rao and about 22 inmates are staying in it. On January 26, Mr. Rao complained about Praveen’s behaviour to his grandmother, who visited the home.
“After she left the home, the student allegedly poured petrol, which was kept by a mechanic at the home, and set himself afire while the other students were playing in the ground. He was rushed to GGH and the Vijayawada City Police recorded the statement of the boy,” the DSP said.
CDPO’s inquiry
“We will record the statement of the boy through video in the presence of a magistrate. He suffered 60 % burns. A burns case has been registered with A. Kondur police and police are investigating from all angles,” Mr. Srinivas said.
Meanwhile, officials of the Women Development and Child Welfare (WD&CW) Department said that the orphanage in which the incident occurred had no permission and the home was being run illegally.
“We instructed the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) concerned to visit the home, record the statements of the inmates as well as Mr. Praveen Kumar, and submit a report. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident,” said WD&CW Krishna District Project Director K. Krishna Kumari.
