Police received a complaint from the victim's uncle, Babubhai Rawal, who discovered Navghan’s charred body in a community burial site.
Rawal, who had been left alone to care for the toddler after his wife returned to her parents’ home, allegedly began to view the child as a burden, leading to the fatal act on Oct. 13 between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm.
After setting the boy on fire, Rawal rushed him to a nearby hospital, but the severe burns proved fatal. He then, with family members, buried the body at a local cremation ground, an attempt to conceal the crime.
Investigators exhumed the remains and sent them for a post‑mortem, which confirmed the cause of death as third‑degree burns. The case has been registered under Sections 302 and 120B of the IPC, and Rawal remains in custody awaiting trial.
Residents of Suigam are reeling, with many expressing disbelief at how a father could commit such an atrocity. The local police chief said the community will receive counseling support while the investigation proceeds.