Superstitious Father Sets Son On Fire, Believing The Boy Would Bring Bad Luck

A superstitious man from India has been arrested after he set his 5-year-old son on fire, believing that the child would bring bad luck

R Ramki from the state of Tamil Nadu set his son Sai Saran on fire on Feb. 26. The child, who suffered 95% burns, was rushed to Thanjavur Medical College Hospital where he died on Tuesday, reported The Times of India.

Police said Ramki, a firm believer of astrology, checked the horoscope of Saran with an astrologer, who said his son would bring him bad luck. From then on, Ramki began showing a strong aversion to the child.

The astrologer also told Ramki that his son should not live with him for the next 15 years. Although Ramki decided to send his son away to his relatives, his wife Gayathri objected.

The couple, who frequently fought, had an altercation on Feb. 25. They fought again the following day and an inebriated Ramki poured kerosene over their son and set him on fire. Gayathri and the neighbors rushed the child to the hospital, where he remained in critical condition until his death.

Ramki was arrested by the police on the same day upon receiving the complaint filed by Gayathri.

According to a report from The Hindu, Ramki confessed to committing the crime. He, however, tried to justify his horrific act by saying that he was forced to do it because the astrological prediction indicated that his son's bad horoscope would bring him troubles.

Ramki and Gayathri have another child, a 3-month-old son.

The Indian state of Hyderabad witnessed a similar incident last January when a father set his 10-year-old son ablaze. The accused, identified as Balu, got furious and began hitting the boy after he came home late after an errand. The enraged father then picked up a can of oil and poured it over the boy before lighting a matchstick and throwing it at him. The child, who suffered 60% burns, was rushed to the hospital by the locals. Meanwhile, his father was arrested by the police.