Minor detained, beaten, made to admit theft; Karnataka child commission orders probe

'The juvenile was taken to the station for inquiry around 7 pm. It is a clear violation of the Juvenile Justice Act,' an official said. Under the Juvenile Justice Act, juveniles cannot be interrogated after sunset.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) has registered a suo motu case after a juvenile was allegedly detained illegally by officials of the Parappana Agrahara police station and forced to confess to a theft.

“We have registered a suo motu case following media reports. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) concerned has been issued a notice to physically visit the station and submit a detailed report,” Shashidhar Kosambe, Chairperson, KSCPCR, told DH.

He said the child is currently stable.

"The juvenile was taken to the station for inquiry around 7 pm. It is a clear violation of the Juvenile Justice Act," he said. Under the Juvenile Justice Act, juveniles cannot be interrogated after sunset.

It is alleged that, following a complaint, the 11-year-old boy was taken to the police station, illegally detained, questioned, beaten, and forced to confess.

“On the first day, I was taken to the police station and sent back,” the minor said in a video released to the media.

“The second day, I was taken back to the police station. Here, I was taken to a room, tortured, beaten, and told that my parents would be jailed for three years. By saying this, they made me confess, the minor added.