A nine-year-old boy was beaten to death over allegations of stealing betel nuts at Haluaghat in Mymensingh on Friday afternoon.

The victim, Imon Mia, was son of Dulal Mia of Bausha village under the upazila.

According to police and local sources, Imon had allegedly stolen betel nuts from his neighbour Atahar Ali’s tree about a month ago.

After keeping silent for nearly a month, Atahar Ali on Friday called Imon to his house, locked the door and beat him severely.

Imon’s family rescued him and took him to Haluaghat upazila health complex, where doctors declared him dead.

The police recovered the body and are preparing for post-mortem examination.

Md Ferdous Alam, officer-in-charge of Haluaghat police, said that preliminary investigation showed the killing was linked to the betel nut theft.

The matter is being investigated seriously, he added.