Cops keep minors in ‘custody’ for three days,parents allege torture

“Four boys between 8 to 10 years of age,including two of my nephews,were kept in illegal custody at Dasada police station from Thursday to Saturday. They were beaten up with a belt and whip and were branded with cigarettes,” said Nasiruddin Laheriya,who has demanded action against Dasada police.

On Sunday,a day after the children were released,a case of stealing covers of water tanks from school premises was registered against them.

According to Laheriya,one Kalubhai Levu from a Dasada had lost his SIM card after which these four children were picked up from the government primary school.

“Though no official complaint or FIR was registered by Kalubhai,police picked up boys and tortured them in the custody for three days,” Laheriya said,adding that the boys were so severely beaten up that they admitted to the theft they haven’t committed.

DySP P M Bhaliya said,“We have received an application. The department will carry out a probe.”

Asked why a police complaint against boys was registered four days after they were allegedly taken into custody,Bhaliya said,“They might have been called for interrogation following which a complaint was registered.”

Surendranagar SP Raghvendra Vatsa said,“The children had committed the offence of theft and hence they were picked up. Earlier too,they has been caught for stealing electronic items and selling them off.”

Vatsa said a local NGO had involved itself in the matter and was twisting the facts in the case.