7-year-old beaten by mother, her male friend; rescued by neighbour
According to the neighbour, the boy was in bad shape when he reached his house. “He collapsed as soon as he came here. We revived him and saw the injuries all over his body, after which we called the police ,” he said.
noida Updated: Apr 03, 2019 08:45 ISTA seven-year-old boy who was allegedly being held captive by his mother and her male companion at a gym in Surajpur town area was rescued by his neighbour Tuesday morning.
The incident came to light around 8am, when the boy managed to flee from captivity and reach his neighbour’s house, who then informed the police.
According to the neighbour, the boy was in bad shape when he reached his house. “He collapsed as soon as he came here. We revived him and after seeing injuries all over his body we called the police,” he said.
He said the boy told them that he was forced by his mother and her companion to work at the gym he owned. The boy also told him the companion often beat him. The boy’s father, an alcoholic, had passed away a few years ago, after which his mother took up with the owner of the gym. According to the police, the man is from Dadri and is married.
The boy has two older siblings and the mother works for a private firm, neighbours said.
In a video circulated on social media, bruises are visible all over the face and body of the boy. In the video, he alleged his mother’s companion would thrash him everyday after she left for work.
Based on the complaint from the neighbour, a case was registered against the suspects at the Surajpur police station under Section 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code and 14(1) of the Child Labour (prohibition and regulation) Act.
“The first call came in around 8.15am. A medical examination has been ordered for him, though injuries were visible all over his body. The mother came in later and said she was unaware that her son was being tortured. We are questioning her for more information,” Muneesh Chauhan, station house officer, Surajpur police station, said.
He said the mother claimed she is married to the gym owner, though she could not produce any document to prove it. The police also said the boy has never been to school.
“The gym owner is on the run at the moment. The boy has been handed over to the child welfare committee and a probe in the matter is underway,” the SHO said.
First Published: Apr 03, 2019 07:42 IST