Indian woman throws six-year-old son into canal infested with crocodiles

A disabled six-year-old boy has died after his mother threw him into a crocodile-infested river in India where he was reportedly mauled.

Savitri Kumar, 26, is said to have thrown her son Vinod into a waste canal that flows into the Kali river in the western Indian state of Karnataka on Saturday.

She claimed her husband Ravi Kumar, 27, ordered her to “throw the child away” before reptiles mauled Vinod to death, according to the Times of India.

Police say the father allegedly questioned her decision to give birth to Vinod, who was deaf and mute.

According to local media, she told officers: “My husband is responsible.

“He used to keep saying let the son die and that all he does is eat.

“Let him be, I’d say. If my husband keeps saying that, how much torture can my son endure? Where will I go share my pain?”

The couple - who have another son aged two – were said to row frequently about the older boy.

Police launched a search operation after being called by neighbours but darkness hindered the recovery.

Vinod’s body was found on Sunday morning covered in bite marks and severe injuries, Times of India said.

His parents have been arrested as police launch a murder investigation.

A post mortem is set to be carried out to determine Vinod’s cause of death.

A police officer told Times of India: “We have registered a case at Dandeli Rural Police station under section 109 (Abetment of any offence, if the act is committed in consequence, and where no express provision is made for its punishment) and 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code and arrested both husband and wife in connection with the incident.”