Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 12: A juvenile who landed in police custody Wednesday was being interrogated in violation of Juvenile justice Act which prohibits interrogation of minors in custody. The minor was arrested on the suspicion he might have stolen a mobile phone.
Chandan Kumar (name changed), a native of Bihar who has been residing in Unit I market area, was locked up in the interrogation room, with all its windows shut, at the Capital police station for over 10 hours.
Sub-inspector Vanita said Kumar has been brought to custody on suspicion of a mobile theft. “After interrogation, we will let him go,” she said.
Kumar was brought to the police station by an angry mob, which suspected he might have picked up a phone that went missing. But, there was no mobile phone in his possession. “That’s correct. But, we still have to question him,” Vanita said. No one has filed a complaint against Kumar Wednesday, she added.
Lately, it has become a norm in the police stations in the city where children in the age group of 10-15, are often caught on suspicion of mobile theft and then later let off. Not long ago, an eight-year-old boy was picked up by Kharvelnagar police and grilled for mobile
theft. The boy was later let off.
Orissa Post has carried the incident in its July 21 edition.
“A juvenile suspect can only be questioned by district juvenile protection officer. The interrogators shall not wear uniform but be in plainclothes,” said Justice Juvenile Board member Namrata Chaddha.
When asked about the basis of their suspicion, Vanita could not give a straight answer, but said, “He is a Bihari.”
“Regional biases among police officials have put several innocent people on trial of a crime,” lawyer DAK Mangaraj observed.
