Warrant against 3-yr-old for rioting

In a bizarre incident in Bihar, a three-year-old boy has been accused of rioting and attacking policemen during a clash between two communities, reports Arun Kumar.

In a bizarre incident in Bihar, a three-year-old boy has been accused of rioting and attacking policemen during a clash between two communities. The incident occurred in a tazia procession at a place under Manihari police station of Katihar district about four months ago. The clash ended with subsequent firing both by the police and the mob.

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The matter came to light when arrest warrants were issued against seven people named accused in the FIR. The police found out one of the accused was Raj Kumar Jha alias Raju Jha (3), son of a retired constable of Railway Protection Force (RPF) Raj Narayan Jha alias Raju Jha.

The boy has been charged under sections 147, 148, 149, 359 and others of IPC and Arms Act. His father, who runs a PCO booth, was unaware of the development until the news of arrest order reached him. Police say it was a mistake as both father and son have similar names.

The investigating officer of the case, Ranjan Kumar Singh, has now been transferred. Satyanarain Singh, the new officer-in-charge of Manihari police station said he was gathering details about the incident.

"Raj Kumar Jha is just three-years old. How can he be involved in a case of rioting? It may be a slip of pen or a case of wrong identity. We are investigating the matter afresh," Singh said. "Maybe it was meant to be his father's name. While the son is Raj Kumar Jha, father is Raj Narain Jha." The officer said a video was taken during the rioting, which showed the mob pelting stones, leading to police firing.

The infant's aunt, Kamti Devi, expressed surprise and said, "His father is running from pillar to post to get the error rectified. He was barely two-and-half when the incident took place. Can an infant ever do it?" she asked.