Tirunelveli Boy, 10, Allegedly Stripped and Beaten by Mango Grove Owner
In a shocking incident near Krishnaperi village in Tirunelveli district, a 10-year-old boy was allegedly stripped and brutally beaten by the owner of a mango grove after the child trespassed to collect mangoes. Police have arrested the owner, identified as Murugan, on Wednesday, following a complaint from the boy's family.
Details of the Alleged Assault
The victim, a Class 5 student at Lalugapuram elementary school, felt unwell and skipped school on Tuesday. Later that afternoon, around 4 pm, he and a friend ventured into a mango grove located behind his house to pluck fruits. Upon noticing the boys, Murugan allegedly confronted them, berating the victim before assaulting him with iron pipes.
The attack resulted in bruising injuries to the boy's shoulder, hip, and thigh. After the incident, the boy returned home, where his father, Ranjith Kumar, discovered what had happened and immediately rushed him to Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital for treatment.
Police Investigation and Community Context
A senior police official stated that both the boy and Murugan belong to the same community, and there was no prior enmity between their families. However, a quarrel erupted between the boy's family and Murugan after the assault came to light.
Ramkumar M, a relative of the boy, told reporters that Murugan is not related to the family, and they are unaware of the reason behind the severe assault. "He was stripped naked and beaten. Police should take severe action against the miscreant," he emphasized.
Legal Actions and Childline Involvement
Based on Ranjith Kumar's complaint, Pettai police have registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 296(b): For obscene acts performed in public to the annoyance of others.
- Section 118(1): For voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
- Section 351(3): For criminal intimidation by threatening to cause death or grievous hurt.
Additionally, a complaint has been filed with Childline, which has initiated its own inquiry into the incident to ensure the child's welfare and rights are protected. Further investigation by police is ongoing to uncover all facts surrounding this distressing case.
