A savage act of torturing a five-year-old boy by his own father and stepmother has shocked the southern Indian state of Kerala.

Shafeeq, who was subjected to physical torture for more than three years by his father Sherif, 27 and stepmother Aleesha 26, is now battling for live in a ventilator at a private hospital at Kattappana in Idukki district.

A high-level team of doctors from Kotttayam Medical College Hospital are struggling hard to save the boy’s life. Doctors at the St. John’s Hospital at Kattapana said that the chances for the survival of the boy were bleak as the boy is brain dead. Dr Nishant Paul, who treated Shafeeq, said 75 per cent of his brain was damaged when he was brought to the hospital.

He was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state by his father and stepmother on Monday. However, detailed medical examination of the boy, showed burn marks at many places on the body, scars on the skin caused by pinching, a deep wound on his head and a broken leg. His left leg below the knee was broken at two places.

The parents admitted torture when the police quizzed them. Police said they had inflicted the torture to eliminate the boy, who was considered as a burden after their marriage.

The police later arrested them and registered a case under the Juvenile Justice Act 23. Shafeeq is the second of the two children from Sherif’s first marriage. Aleesha too has a girl from her first marriage and a child from her second marriage with Sherif, who is a daily wage worker at Kumily.

Expressing shock over the incident, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has asked Social Welfare Minister Dr M K Muneeer to rush to Kattappana and do everything possible to save the boy.

He termed the incident as a scar on Kerala society. Chandy told reporters after the cabinet meeting he had directed the concerned authorities to give best available treatment to the boy.

The government will bear the entire expenses for the treatment, he added.

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