Boys' home in-charge held for beating inmate; released

The in-charge of Government Home for Boys, who has been accused of beating up a 14-year-old boy, was arrested on Friday before being released on bail.

The victim, seen loitering near Magadi Main Road, was picked up by two volunteers of a child helpline on August 19 and handed over to BOSCO, an orphanage for street children.

Later, he was taken to the Government Home for Boys near Lakkasandra, where he was beaten up with a PVC pipe when he refused to clean the toilet. He was also made to walk on his knees for eating food without saying his prayers.

The incident came to light on August 20, when he was taken to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for counselling. The members noticed the boy severely injured with bruises all over his body. They immediately brought the matter to his mother’s notice.

 The CWC later counselled the shocked parents to lodge a complaint, the police said.The parents lodged a complaint against Ramesh, the in-charge of Government Home for Boys, at the Wilson Garden police station. The boy is being treated, the police said.

A senior police officer said that the boy had run away from home as his parents would constantly squabble. 

He also told the police that the other inmates were being tortured constantly, but none had the courage to talk about it.