Forced to drink petrol, set ablaze: Kolkata boy tortured for social media reel

A boy was assaulted, forced to drink petrol and set on fire by a group of locals in Kolkata, who filmed the entire ordeal to create a social media reel. The prime accused has been arrested, while two minors were detained in connection.

The incident took place on October 27 when the accused approached the boy on the pretext of playing a game.

According to the police, the group forced a helmet onto the boy's head, blindfolded him and assaulted him.

When he removed the helmet out of frustration, the accused tried to force him to drink petrol. After he pushed it away, they poured petrol on his body, lit a match and threw it at him, setting his clothes on fire.

The boy managed to flee and tear off his burning clothes. Locals rushed to help him and took him to a hospital. He suffered minor burn injuries.

During the investigation, police found that the entire incident had been filmed by one of the minors accused with the intention of posting it as a reel on social media.

The accused had also coached the boy to tell the police that he had taken part in the act voluntarily for a reel, in case he was questioned.

Acting on a complaint filed by the victim's family, police registered a case of attempted murder and arrested four people.- Ends

Tapas Sengupta is a senior investigative journalist based in Kolkata, also reports actively on socio-political issues, human rights violations, and conflict  across India. He is a Defence Correspondent and having experience of covering major conflicts across all the borders of India since last 17 years. He is an experienced broadcast journalist