Hyderabad: An army jawan who questioned over the burning of an 11-year-old boy within a military garrison in Hyderabad last month, allegedly committed suicide on Monday morning.
Appalaraju, reportedly shot himself with his duty weapon while on sentry duty at 4 am and died immediately, say the police.
He was one of the army men questioned on the killing of Syed Mustafa who died of 90% burns after being set on fire on October 9.
Before dying, the police said, the boy told a magistrate that some “military men” burnt him. A Special Investigation Team was set up to investigate the incident, which had led to angry protests and forced the riot police to step in.
Mustafa lived with his parents, three brothers and a sister in Siddiqnagar within the garrison in Mehdipatnam, which is a restricted area and allows visitors only with special passes.
The police say kerosene was poured on the boy and he was set on fire. A soft drink bottle with traces of kerosene and matches were found at the spot.
The police filed a case of murder against unidentified army men.
The army had strongly denied the involvement of its personnel, claiming that their men shared a very good rapport with some 200 families who stay within the campus.
“On investigation, it is found that the allegation is absolutely false and no army personnel is involved in this incident. The army condemns this act,” an army statement had said.
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The police, however, point out that the incident took place in an area that outsiders can’t access without a special pass.