An Indian mother allegedly threw her disabled son into a crocodile-infested canal for being a burden to their family.

Savitri Kumar, 32, reportedly flung the deaf and mute boy Vinod, 6, into the channel teeming with hungry crocs following a row with her husband Ravi, 36, in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka state in India on May 4 evening.

Police said the couple often fought as Ravi blamed Savitri for their son's speech and hearing impairments.

Inspector Krishna Barakeri said: 'After a quarrel over the same matter escalated on Saturday night, Savitri allegedly threw her son into a waste canal linked to the crocodile-infested Kali river around 9 pm.'

A neighbour who saw the incident called the police, and divers were dispatched to scour the waters. However, the darkness hindered the search.

Officials finally found Vinod's half-eaten body the following morning, May 5, with a missing right arm and multiple bite marks across his torso.

Police believe he was torn apart by multiple crocodiles due to the severity of his wounds.

Savitri claimed her husband had instructed her to throw the boy into the canal.

She said: 'My spouse bears responsibility. He used to constantly tell me to let our son die because all he does is eat. Well, let him be. How much pain will my son have to go through if my husband keeps saying that? Where can I go to express my suffering?'

Police said that Savitri, who works as a housekeeper, and Ravi, a stonemason, have been arrested and will face murder charges.