Sub-inspector assaults minor boy in Coimbatore

COIMBATORE: What could have just remained as a small argument between police and a couple turned violent after cops in Coimbatore started beating up the couple’s minor son .
The incident took place when Velmayil, 47, of Rathinapuri and his wife opened their tiffin centre till 9pm on June 17. Their tiffin stall was in Shastri Street. Sub-inspector (SI) Chellamani, who was on patrol, instructed the couple to shut their shop as 8 pm was the curfew.
The couple however tried to explain to the officials that they paid Rs 10,000 as rent and had to make some business to meet their expenses.
Their 15-year-old son had taken videos of the incident which was noticed by the police. The official seized the phone.
In retaliation to this act by the police, the boy snatched the police official’s bike key. Irked over the boy’s act, Chellamani started assaulting the boy.
People gathered around and witnessed the incident. One person from the crowd shot the assault on his video and it was shared widely on WhatsApp on Monday. Chellamani threatened the boy’s parents saying that the minor would ill be sent to jail for his behaviour.
Later, the boy was taken to the police station.
A police source said, “We checked with his school teachers and confirmed that he was studying in Class X. We haven’t registered a case against the minor. He did not allow the police officer to discharge his duty. However, a case was registered against Velmayil under Section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) of the Indian Penal Code.”
Child activists claimed that if a minor boy was involved in a conflict with the law, he should be treated carefully by the officials. Police cannot assault a minor nor can he be taken to a police station. They should inform Childline officials, who deal with children in conflict with law.