A shocking incident of alleged child abuse has come to light in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar district, where four boys, all under the age of 12, were reportedly tied up and beaten with sticks after being accused of attempting to steal a bottle of cold drink from a local shop.
The incident occurred in a village under the Piran Kaliyar police station area and drew widespread attention after a video of the assault surfaced on social media. The footage allegedly shows the children being beaten one by one while pleading for mercy, as several bystanders watch the ordeal unfold.
According to police, the shopkeeper allegedly caught the boys and, with the help of his brother and others, restrained them before carrying out the assault. The disturbing video prompted immediate police action.
A case was registered on Sunday under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful restraint, wrongful confinement, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult. Police also invoked Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act, which deals with cruelty towards children.
Two brothers, identified as Mehraj, 55, and Mahavir, 50, have been arrested in connection with the case. Authorities said further investigations are underway to determine whether additional individuals were involved in the assault.
Divyesh Upadhyay, Circle Officer and in-charge of Piran Kaliyar police station, said police acted promptly after the video came to their notice. He confirmed that investigators are examining the footage, medical reports of the children, and witness statements to establish the full sequence of events.
The incident has sparked public outrage, with many questioning the excessive use of violence against children over an alleged act of petty theft. Child rights advocates have also called for strict action against those responsible and stressed that no allegation can justify such treatment of minors.
Police have assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted and appropriate legal action will be taken against all those found guilty.
