Maharashtra News: A 12-year-old boy was rescued from Maharashtra’s Nagpur after being chained by his parents for his ‘misbehaviour’. Both parents, who are daily wage labourers, would chain the boy before heading out to work. The incident came to light after their neighbours complained to the authorities. A team from the District Women and Child Development Office raided the house and found the boy locked inside with metal padlock around his leg.
According to a report by NDTV, citing authorities, visible wounds marked the child's limbs where the metal had chafed his skin due to daily restraint for the past two months. The boy was immediately rescued and transferred to a secure facility.
According to the parents, the boy had become a school dropout and difficult to manage. They further said that he would frequently run away from home and allegedly steal mobile phones. To stop these acts, the parents took this step.
The police have lodged a case against the parents under the Juvenile Justice Act (JJA). Meanwhile, the boy has been shifted to a Child Welfare Centre (CWC), where he is undergoing counselling.
ALSO READ: Venezuela: Multiple Explosions And Low-Flying Aircraft Reported In Caracas | VIDEO
The incident was reported to the police on two separate occasions, yet law enforcement reportedly failed to intervene. The boy was only rescued after neighbours contacted the Child Helpline (1098), prompting an immediate response from a specialised rescue team.
Authorities said preliminary assessments indicate that the minor suffered sustained physical and mental trauma. In the backdrop of the incident, the Child Protection Unit has issued a public appeal stressing the importance of reporting signs of child harassment, violence or neglect to the police or child welfare authorities.