In a shocking incident from Nagpur, a 12-year-old boy endured a two-month ordeal of being chained and locked inside his home by his own parents. The parents, both daily wage labourers, resorted to this extreme measure in a misguided attempt to control his behaviour, which reportedly included petty thefts.
The Distressing Rescue Operation
The boy's plight came to an end on Friday after authorities received a crucial tip-off on the national Child Helpline number 1098. Acting swiftly on the information, a joint team from the district child protection unit (DCPU) under the women and child development department and the local police rushed to a location in South Nagpur.
The rescue team discovered the minor in a terrified state, shackled and forced to stand on a bucket. A source involved revealed that the boy's parents followed a cruel daily routine, tying him up at 9 AM before leaving for work. He was found in this condition at around 3 PM on the day of the rescue. Medical examination later confirmed that the injuries on his hands and legs from the chains and ropes were at least two to three months old.
A Cry for Help Ignored
Investigations revealed a tragic backstory. The boy, a school dropout, was known to have behavioural issues and was allegedly involved in stealing mobile phones. The Ajni police station had been alerted twice about his abnormal behaviour. Instead of seeking professional help or counselling, the frustrated parents chose a path of severe confinement.
"The parents had discontinued his education. They felt they had no other option but to leave him alone while they went to work. Tragically, they decided to tie the boy up, leaving him to suffer until they returned," a source stated, explaining the parents' flawed reasoning.
Aftermath and Legal Action
Recognising the incident as a serious violation of child rights, the rescue team, led by district women and child development officer Sunil Mesre, immediately shifted the boy to a safe location. The dedicated team included district child protection officer Mushtak Pathan, protection officer Sadhana Hatwar, legal-cum-probation officer Sujata Gulhane, and Childline representative Mangala Tembhurne.
The rescued child was admitted to a children's home for safety and rehabilitation. He is currently undergoing necessary medical treatment and counselling sessions to address the deep physical and psychological trauma inflicted during his captivity. A formal complaint has been lodged against the parents at the Ajni police station.
The police are investigating the matter under the stringent Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, along with relevant laws pertaining to child cruelty and rights violations. The case will be presented before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to decide on the boy's long-term care and protection.
Ajni police station senior inspector Nitin Rajkumar confirmed that various police stations in the city and rural areas had previously dealt with complaints against the boy. "We are referring the matter to the child welfare committee," he stated. As of now, no formal offence has been registered, but the investigation is ongoing.
