A 14-year-old boy lost his eyesight after police allegedly tortured him for over a week, the boy's neighbour said on Friday, though the police said he was suffering from viral fever.
Rohit was arrested in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on July 29 after a businessman lodged a First Information Report (FIR) alleging that the boy stole mobile phones from his shop.
"Police first picked up his father Ramdev and later nabbed Rohit. He was tortured to such an extent that he lost his eyesight," Rohit's neighbour RS Yadav said.
A police team on Thursday brought Rohit for a check up at the Chatrapati Sahuji Maharaj Medical University in Lucknow.
"I was beaten badly by the police and was also forced to admit the theft," said Rohit while being dragged inside a police vehicle.
However, a police officer said Rohit admitted to the crime and was suffering from viral infection at the time of the arrest.
"We also recovered 18 mobiles from his possession. He was suffering from viral fever after which a team of three doctors conducted an examination. Rohit has been sent to Lucknow for further check-up after seeking permission from the court," Senior Superintendent of Police (Faizabad) RKS Rathore told IANS.
{{/usCountry}}"We also recovered 18 mobiles from his possession. He was suffering from viral fever after which a team of three doctors conducted an examination. Rohit has been sent to Lucknow for further check-up after seeking permission from the court," Senior Superintendent of Police (Faizabad) RKS Rathore told IANS.
{{/usCountry}}"A probe is being conducted and strict action will be taken against policemen if the allegations are found to be true," he added.