A seemingly harmless sari swing used to hang bedding from in a tiny house became a noose for the family's 12-year-old son on Wednesday evening. The boy died after the sari got entangled around his neck.

The boy, identified as Rakesh Yadav, lived with his parents and two sisters in Dongarpada, Vasai East. According to police sources, the incident happened around 5.30 pm, when Rakesh, a Std VI student, was alone at home. His mother was chatting with neighbours, while his sisters were at school and his father was away at work.