Boy dies hours after mercy killing plea

A 9-year-old boy died of prolonged illness while the child and his parents were returning home after filing a petition to allow mercy killing in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor, police said on Wednesday. The boy, who was in an accident four years ago and who was bedridden, died in an autorickshaw while returning from the Punganur court in the district, local media reported. His parents said they spent over ₹4 lakh for his treatment over the years, but there was no relief. They approached the court, seeking mercy killing to end his suffering.