A day after six-year-old died after falling into a 100-foot borewell in Hoshiarpur, his autopsy report revealed that the boy had drowned as excess water was found in his lungs. Taking note, the police has registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 304-A (causing death due to negligence), against the owner of the field where the boy fell into the borewell.

Notably, six years old Hrithik was playing in the field at Khiala Bulanda village near Bairampur on Sunday and he climbed a borewell shaft when some stray dogs started chasing him. The nine-inch-wide shaft, covered with a jute bag, could not withstand boy’s weight and gave in, causing him to fall into the borewell.

After eight-hour-long rescue operations, Hrithik was taken out of the borewell, but he was declared dead at the hospital.

Senior Medical Officer of the local government hospital Dr Sunil Bhagat on Monday said that Hrithik’s autopsy report revealed that the boy died due to drowning as excess water was found in his lungs.

The post-mortem was done by a three-member board of doctors in the local government hospital. Rigor mortis was detected when the body was brought to the hospital on Sunday evening. Rigor mortis usually sets six to eight hours after the death, Dr Bhagat said, adding that the boy might have drowned in the water in the pipe of the borewell.

The body has been handed over to the boy's family for cremation.

Hoshiarpur Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Mukhtiar Rai said that investigation in the case was underway and further action would be taken accordingly.