New Delhi - An Indian boy, afraid of being scolded by his impoverished family for stealing five rupees (10 cents), committed suicide at his home in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, media reports said Sunday. Twelve-year-old Zahir, a resident of state capital Lucknow had demanded the money from his elder sister for eating out on Saturday, the CNN-IBN network reported. After she refused, Zahir allegedly stole the money from the house.

When his sister came to know about it, she threatened that she would tell their parents. Afraid of being scolded, the boy committed suicide by hanging himself on the terrace of the house, the report said.

According to the police, Zahir belonged to a poor family that was finding it difficult to make ends meet. Despite recording rapid economic progress over the past years, one quarter of India's billion-plus population still lives in poverty. (dpa)