A disabled six-year-old boy has died after his mother threw him into a crocodile-infested river in India where he was reportedly mauled.
The woman, 26, is said to have thrown the boy into a waste canal that flows into the Kali river in the western Indian state of Karnataka on Saturday.
Her husband, 27, had allegedly long questioned her for giving birth to a child with a disability, and had repeatedly told her to “throw the child away”, reported Times of India.
The couple are said to have had frequent disputes about the boy.
Following a heated argument on Saturday, the “distressed” mother threw her elder son into the river, which is known for its crocodile population.
Police launched a search operation after being called by neighbours, but could not find the boy, who has been described by Times of India as ‘speech-disabled’.
His body was reportedly found on Sunday morning, covered in bite marks and severe injuries, according to Times of India.
The boy’s parents - who are said to have another son, aged two - have reportedly been arrested.
A post mortem is set to be carried out, to determine his cause of death.
A police officer told Times of India: "We have registered a case at Dandeli Rural Police station under section 109 (Abetment of any offence, if the act is committed in consequence, and where no express provision is made for its punishment) and 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code and arrested both husband and wife in connection with the incident.”
