Teenager smothers 2-year-old in revenge

A teenage boy smothered his neighbour's two-year-old son in retaliation for beating  up his  father. The incident occurred at Kempapura in Soladevanahalli, North Bengaluru, on February 7.  

Venkatesh, the son of Basavaraju, was reportedly murdered by the 14-year-old son of a neighbour, Eeranna. Both the families would often quarrel over trivial matters, the police said.  

It all started over a jug

On February 4, Basavaraju's dog took away Eeranna's jug lying in front of his house. Eeranna was alone at home as his wife and two sons had gone to Bagalkot for a wedding.

In the evening, a drunk  Eeranna confronted Basavaraju's wife about the jug and abused her. Just  then,  Basavaraju came home and, in a fit of anger, beat up  Eeranna and kicked him out.

Eeranna's family returned from Bagalkot on  Wednesday morning. He told them about the fight with Basavaraju. Eeranna's  minor son overheard the conversation and held a grudge against Basavaraju and his family.

On February 7, around 2 pm,  the boys were playing outside the home. A pigeon reared by  Eeranna's son flew into  the nearby forest. Both  Venkatesh  and the suspect went looking for it. A while later, only  the  suspect  returned. When asked, he said he  didn't know where Venkatesh was.  Basavaraju searched for his son everywhere, but in vain. In the evening, another neighbour  informed him  that his son was  lying dead in the  forest.  

Basavaraju later filed a police complaint, naming Eeranna. The police, who suspected that the murder occurred around 2.30 pm, learnt that Eeranna was not present at that spot at that time. Eeranna's customers at his tea stall supported  his alibi. The police suspected his son and called the child welfare committee to question him. The boy later opened up. He has  been sent to the state-run home for boys.