Rajkot: An 11-year-old boy was allegedly branded with a hot iron rod by two men after a dispute over a cricket game in Rajkot’s Punitnagar area in June last year. The incident, which took place more than 15 months ago, came to light after the boy’s mother filed a complaint with police on Tuesday.The incident occurred on June 7, 2025, but the family did not approach police at the time after the father of one of the accused allegedly offered to settle the matter at a meeting between the two families. When no settlement was reached even after more than a year, the boy’s mother approached Rajkot Taluka police on Wednesday.The complaint names Navghan Kuvariya and Hardik Datani as accused.According to the complaint, the incident occurred around 7pm on June 7, 2025, when the boy had gone out to play cricket in his neighbourhood. Navghan asked to play a ball, but the boy refused, leading to an argument.Navghan then allegedly grabbed the child while Hardik told him to take the boy to his house. Navghan then allegedly took the boy to Hardik’s residence, where Hardik heated an iron rod. Navghan allegedly used the heated rod to brand the boy four times on his body.The boy cried out in pain, following which the accused let him go. He then ran home.The following morning, June 8, the boy’s mother noticed burn marks on his abdomen while getting him ready for school. When she questioned him, he narrated what had happened.The boy’s grandfather subsequently called the families of both accused for a meeting. According to the complaint, the family did not approach police at the time after the father of one of the accused offered to settle the matter.However, no settlement was reached even after more than a year, prompting the boy’s mother to finally approach police.
