Child rights panel begins probe

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which had swung into action following a report 'Monster cops torture minor' published in Hindustan Times on April 2, has recorded statements of police officials and a medical officer who had examined the victim.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which had swung into action following a report 'Monster cops torture minor' published in Hindustan Times on April 2, has recorded statements of police officials and a medical officer who had examined the victim.

HT Image

Thirteen-year-old Rahul (name changed), a resident of Krishna Colony, was arrested on charges of vehicle theft and allegedly subjected to custodial torture at the Sector 4 police post in Gurgaon. According to the boy's parents, policemen injected petrol in his rectum and sprinkled chilli powder in his eyes during interrogation before he was sent to a rehabilitation centre in Faridabad.

The doctors had confirmed injury but the actual cause has not been ascertained. The victim's family has not filed a complaint against the erring police officials till now.

The police department, meanwhile, washed its hands off from the case. "Before Rahul was sent to the juvenile home, a doctor had examined him at the civil hospital. If the boy was tortured, it must be at the rehab centre in Faridabad which does not fall under our jurisdiction," said Maheshwar Dayal, DCP (West), Gurgaon. He, however, said the matter will be looked into when they receive a complaint.

Meanwhile, civil hospital doctors confirmed injury marks on the body of the minor. "We found some black spots on his buttocks which seem to be a result of some external injury. We will constitute a medical board to examine whether the wound has been caused due to physical assault with sticks or some other object," said Dr Khajan Singh, principal medical officer.