Pramesh S Jain
An 11-year-old boy was allegedly assaulted by Parappana Agrahara police in connection with a six-month-old gold theft complaint,triggering outrage and emotional scenes as the child’s parents accused the police of custodial violence and coercion.
According to the family,the boy an eighth-grade student was accused of stealing a purse containing 120 grams of gold from a woman in Vinayak Layout,Shantipur.The boy’s father,Balaji,runs a dry-cleaning shop in the locality.
The incident dates back to August last year,when a woman reportedly stopped near Balaji’s shop after returning home in an autorickshaw.The boy was sitting inside the shop watching videos on a mobile phone.
The woman allegedly gave him Rs.10 before leaving and later travelled by bus to Krishnagiri in Tamilnadu.
Six days later,the woman returned and filed a complaint claiming her purse containing 120 grams of gold was stolen,accusing the boy of the theft.Police initially questioned the child and later let him go after he denied the allegations.
However,after remaining silent for nearly six to seven months,the complainant allegedly renewed the accusation.
The parents claim that police then summoned the boy and his parents to the police station,where the child was allegedly assaulted.
The family alleged that the boy was beaten in front of his parents,intimidated by switching off lights multiple times, and forcibly made to record a video confession stating that he had stolen the gold.Police allegedly threatened that the parents would be jailed for three years if the gold was not returned.
The boy reportedly sustained injuries to his ear and was admitted to a hospital for treatment.Visuals of the injured child and a byte from his father,Balaji, have been received.(The child’s face has been blurred.)
Police are also accused of pressuring the parents to hand over gold from their home after showing them the alleged confession video.
The parents,who broke down while speaking to the media,questioned why the police revived the case after several months and alleged gross violation of child protection laws.
DCP,Electronic city division,M.Narayana said based on the complaint,ordered probe and waiting for the report for further action.
They have appealed for justice,asking whether the Parappana Agrahara police acted within the law and why an innocent child was subjected to such treatment.
The alleged assault on an 11-year-old minor by police personnel in connection with a gold theft case is highly regrettable,said Shashidhar S.Kosambe,Chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR).
The incident reportedly took place in Shanthipura, Vinayaka Layout,where a police constable is alleged to have assaulted the minor boy,who was accused of stealing gold.Kosambe said such actions against a child in conflict with law are unacceptable.
Referring to the alleged harassment and threats faced by the minor at Parappana Agrahara Police Station,the Commission stated that it has taken serious note of the matter and has registered a suo motu case.
The Chairperson said that whether the child committed the offence knowingly or unknowingly,it is the constitutional duty of the authorities to ensure the child’s protection and to deal with the matter strictly in accordance with law.
He said the incident amounted to a clear violation of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2006,and expressed serious concern over the manner in which the child was allegedly treated.
The Commission has written to the Deputy Commissioner of Police,Electronic city Division,seeking details of the incident.It has also decided to conduct a personal visit to the police station,collect information from the concerned Station House Officer,and verify whether the minor was subjected to illegal interrogation at the police station.
The Commission has directed that strict legal action be initiated if violations are found and has sought a detailed report on the matter.
