SHRC seeks report on Coimbatore cops assaulting boy

COIMBATORE: Taking suo motu cognizance of a news article published by the Times of India, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has issued notice to Coimbatore police commissioner Sumit Sharan, seeking a detail report on police assaulting a minor boy at Rathinapuri in the city.
The Times of India published the news item headlined “ Viral video shows cops beating up 16-year-old boy” on June 23.
The SHRC directed the commissioner to submit a detailed report within two weeks.
A small argument between police and a couple turned violent after police officials started beating up the couple’s minor son in Rathinapuri on June 17. The video of the same went viral on WhatsApp.
The incident took place when Velmayil, 47, and his wife kept their tiffin centre open even 9pm on June 17. Their tiffin stall is in Shastri Street at Rathinapuri. Sub-inspector (SI) Chellamani, who was on patrol, instructed them to shut the shop as 8pm closing time due to the lockdown.
The couple tried to explain that they paid Rs 10,000 as rent and had to make some business to meet their expenses.
Their 16-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 official’s bike key. Irked over the boy’s act, Chellamani started assaulting the boy. Chellamani also threatened the boy’s parents that the minor would be sent to jail for his behaviour.
Later, the boy was taken to the police station. The minor boy is studying in Class X. So the police did not register a case against him.
Child activists claimed that if a minor boy was involved in a conflict with the law, he should be treated carefully by 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.