A 'spiritual healer', in an effort to treat a 15-year-old boy with a prolonged illness, allegedly burned his legs and lower body with hot coals in Gujranwala's Khayali area Sunday night.

The teenager's father, a daily wage worker, had taken his son to a so-called local spiritual healer named Yasmeen who allegedly told Hussain she could cure his son's illness. The boy had been ill for quite some time, his family members told DawnNews.

They alleged that Yasmeen had said she would burn a taweez (amulet) that the boy wore with coal fire after which, she claimed, the teenager's sickness would be cured.

On Sunday night, the so-called spiritual healer allegedly burned the minor's lower body with coal fire, resulting in serious burn injuries to the boy.

Nasir was rushed to District Headquarters Hospital following the incident. The doctor on duty told DawnNews it is possible the teenager may be suffering from a neurological illness that results in seizures.

Police have registered a First Information Report against Yasmeen and have taken her into custody. An investigation has been launched into the incident.