Bangalore, May 1 (DHNS): In what appears to be an alleged case of abuse by family members, a four-year-old boy admitted to the Vani Vilas hospital is battling for life in the intensive care unit (ICU).

The boy, who was brought in late Monday night, has burn marks on his back and head injuries, doctors said.

While doctors treated him as any other patient when brought in, revelations by his grandmother convinced them to look into the matter carefully.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Dr Gangadhar Belawadi, the Superintendent, said:

“Having heard the grandmother’s version, we have informed the Child Welfare Commission (CWC) and also registered a medico-legal case (MLC).”

Quoting the grandmother, he said, the baby was abandoned at her house by his mother.

“After hearing this, we looked into the case history and found that the child was treated at the Osmania Hospital in Hyderabad and was discharged against medical advice.”

Stating that the boy’s condition was serious, Belawadi said: “We are continuously monitoring his condition.”

He said that the boy is diagnosed with viral meningoencephalitis, that simultaneously resembles both meningitis, which is an infection or inflammation of the meninges, and encephalitis, which is an infection or inflammation of the brain.

He said that the grandmother, who was not available at the hospital, has alleged that the boy had been subjected to beating and other non-sexual forms of abuse and that she had even lodged a complaint with the “local police.”

While Belawadi was unable to confirm where such a complaint was lodged, he said, the boy (and his family) is from Raichur.

“The issue is serious, and, as part of our responsibility, we have intimated the CWC, which will look into the various allegations. As for the medical condition of the boy, he is being monitored now. The duty doctor tomorrow (Wednesday) will have a more accurate information,” he said.

Sources said that a team of CWC officials has already visited the hospital and that they will visit again on Wednesday.