Overview

• The attack occurred in Ali village in Dhar district, central India, and was reported by local authorities and media.
• Reports say the man entered the home, seized a sharp spade found at the property and decapitated the child, named locally as Vikesh.
• The child's mother was injured while trying to intervene, according to police statements carried by local outlets.
• Neighbors apprehended the accused and beat him; he died while being taken to hospital, police said, and a case has been registered.
• Investigators say the suspect, identified locally as Mahesh, 25, was not known to the family, had reportedly been missing for days and was accused of an attempted shop theft earlier, with post-mortems to establish causes of death.