Bhiwandi: A seven-year-old boy was allegedly sexually assaulted and then set on fire for resisting two men at Padmanagar in Bhiwandi town in Thane district of Maharashtra, informed the police.

The incident took place on Saturday when the child had gone to eat at a langar or community meal, Senior Inspector NT Rode told.

He was taken by the accused to an isolated spot and allegedly sexually assaulted. The boy, who suffered 30 percent burn injuries, somehow managed to escape, police said.

A case has been registered under sections 363 (kidnapping), 377 (Unnatural Sex) and 342 (wrongful confinement) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

The boy is being treated at the Thane Civil hospital. Three people have been arrested in connection with the incident.