Anshad,child of Sabeena from her first marriage, was beaten with leather belt and scratchy-edged wood by his stepfather Shaji following family quarrels, sources said.
He also used to beat his wife often, according to neighbours.
The child, with serious lash marks and open wounds all over his body, has been admitted to a private hospital at Kottiyam near here.
Sources said there were serious problems between the husband and wife and they had been living apart for some time and reunited only recently.
Shaji, who had been in the Gulf for a few years, is working as an auto driver. He is absconding since the incident, police said.
Published 13 June 2011, 08:42 IST