Cops thrash 17-yr-old boy, SHRC orders probe

KARIMNAGAR: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Wednesday, ordered an inquiry into the thrashing of a 17-year-old boy in public view by Jagtial CI Challa Deva Reddy and constable Ganga Reddy.On Tuesday afternoon, the CI and the constable beat up the boy in full public view after a resident of the area handed him over to them complaining that he was stealing petrol, spare parts from parked vehicles.The CI thrashed the boy with his lathi and even slapped him even as the boy kept pleading him not to do so. At one point, the CI even took out his revolver and pointed it towards the boy.Ganga Reddy, who accompanied the CI, also beat up the boy.Later, they arrested the minor boy and took him to the police station where he was kept the whole night. His associate, Gopi, is absconding.Police registered a case against the teenager under Sec 379 (read with 511) but released him on Wednesday afternoon.The SHRC took a serious note of the incident and registered a suo motu case.The Commission directed the DGP to file a status report on the incident by March 7. Jagtial ASP A Rama Rajeswari, who conducted an inquiry, found fault with the inspector and constable and recommended disciplinary action against the duo.She also examined video clippings of the incident which were recorded by a private news channel. SHRC officials reportedly visited Jagtial on Wednesday to enquire about the incident.