A shocking Holi incident in Nagpur saw a 60-year-old woman, Sindhu Thakre, scald a four-year-old boy with boiling water after he playfully sprayed colour on her (Screengrab: X@gharkekalesh)

NAGPUR: Enraged over a four-year-old boy spraying colour at her while playing, his 60-year-old relative, Sindhu Thakre, poured boiling water on him during a Holi celebration in Koradi on Tuesday. The boy, Om Vange, is battling 18-20% burns at a private hospital in Nagpur.The child lives with his maternal uncle and grandmother in Koradi for schooling, while his parents work in Chankapur, Khaparkheda.Zonal DCP Sandeep Pakhale said legal action was initiated against the accused. “It seems to be a case of sudden provocation — the boy splashed coloured water on her, and she reacted in anger. Not premeditated, but still reckless. There is no leniency for endangering a child,” said Pakhale.The incident happened near a Holika Dahan bonfire. Witnesses said Thakre, after Om’s playful spray of gulal at her, Sindhu grabbed a steaming bucketful of water and flung it at him.District Child Protection Officer Mustak Pathan, who inspected the site, stated, “Police should make a tight case against the perpetrator. This isn’t a mere injury — it’s grievous. We’ll push for maximum charges so no one takes festivals as an excuse for violent behaviour.”Koradi police registered an offence under Sec 117 Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for intentionally causing grievous hurt, which attracts imprisonment up to 7 years and fine. “Considering age of the woman, we are yet to arrest her,” said a senior police official of Koradi police station.