Lucknow, Aug 1 (IANS) A 12-year-old boy was allegedly set afire by three people in Uttar Pradesh's Chanduali district on charges of theft, police said Monday. While the boy is battling for life with 50 percent burns, the three accused are on the run.


The boy, from Mughalsarai town, was set afire late Sunday by his neighbour Pappu and two others in Chanduali, some 300 km from Lucknow.

“The victim's family has alleged that Pappu accused the boy of stealing money from his house. After assaulting him, Pappu along with his two aides poured kerosene oil on the boy and set him on fire," police inspector Ram Sagar said

“The boy has been referred to a hospital in Varanasi as his condition started deteriorating," said Sagar. Police have detained some people in the case.