Coimbatore: A four-year-old boy in Coimbatore was allegedly branded with a hot steel rod by the owner of the rented house for playing at her home at odd hours, prompting Child Protection unit officials to initiate a probe into the incident.

The boy was branded on his cheek and foot on Monday and had difficulty in walking, ditrict Child Protection officer Vijaya said on Wednesday. Based on information given by a neighbour, the district child protection unit officials visited the boy in his house on Tuesday and were inquiring into the incident, she said.

After thorough inquiry, necessary action would be initiated against the offender, she added. The boy was living with his grandparents and father in a rented house at Puliyakulam area as his mother had left the family, upset over her alcoholic husband.

House owner Rani had allegedly branded the boy for playing inside her house during odd hours, officials said. Police said the boy's father filed a complaint on Wednesday about the incident and they would inquire into it.

Initially, the boy's family did not lodge a police complaint since they were afraid that the owner may ask them to vacate the house.