Father can't see sons in arson case

A Glendale Heights man is barred from having contact with his two hospitalized sons as they fight to survive after being severely burned in a fire their father is suspected of intentionally igniting.

Prosecutors obtained the emergency protective order against Kaushik Patel on behalf of his wife, Nishaben. DuPage Associate Judge Jane Mitton granted the court order Tuesday.

The pint-sized brothers, 7-year-old Vishv and Om, 4, remained Thursday at Loyola University Medical Center, where doctors are trying to avert infections. The boys have survived nearly two weeks despite burns on the majority of their bodies.

Kaushik Patel, 34, also is hospitalized there for his non-life-threatening burn injuries.

Prosecutors encouraged Nishaben Patel to seek the protective order because her husband, though badly injured, is able to walk. Patel cannot have any contact with the boys, but he may see his wife as long as their contact is not harmful, according to the court order.

Prosecutors anticipate filing criminal charges against Kaushik Patel, their only suspect, as his medical condition improves. He is suspected of dousing his sons in gasoline and setting them ablaze Nov. 18 in a bathroom shower stall inside their Harvest Lane home in Glendale Heights, several sources said.

Their mother was not home. Afterward, police said, the father drove his injured sons about 5 miles to his brother's house in Hanover Park, where rescuers were summoned.

Authorities said Kaushik Patel made incriminating statements to his brother, Rajendra, who is cooperating with the investigation. His wife, Kamini Patel, told the Daily Herald her family knew Kaushik and Nishaben had marital problems, but no one foresaw the violence.