Influential man arrested in Mahasamund for brutally beating a child after stripping him naked

Mahasamund. The prompt and strict action of Dr. Varnika Sharma, Chairperson of the Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, has ensured the arrest of the accused in a serious case of cruelty against a child in Mahasamund district. This case is an important example of the Commission’s active role in protecting child rights.

According to information received, the Commission received information about a child being stripped and brutally beaten by an influential family in a village in Mahasamund district. The child was falsely accused of stealing ₹600, which the investigation found to be completely false. Upon receiving the information, Commission Chairperson Dr. Varnika Sharma personally arrived in the village late at night, met with the victim’s family, and conducted a detailed investigation. The investigation also revealed that after the child was beaten, his father was also severely tortured, leading to his suicide. Given the seriousness of the case, Dr. Sharma immediately coordinated with the Director General of Police and directed immediate action, resulting in the arrest of the accused.

The Commission recommended punitive action against the then station in-charge for serious negligence in the case. The Superintendent of Police, Mahasamund, issued a censure penalty against the station in-charge, which the Commission considered insufficient and initiated the process for strict punitive action at the Police Headquarters.

It is noteworthy that a challan has been filed against all three accused in this case, and the main accused has been imprisoned until mid-January. On the Commission’s recommendation, offenses have been registered against the accused under sections 108, 127(2), 115(2), and 351(2) of the IPC, and the case is pending in court. The Commission has also directed the Child Welfare Committee and the District Child Protection Team to ensure the complete care, education, and rehabilitation of the victim and to initiate action to provide compensation to the victim. The Commission has also directed the police administration to include Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act against the accused in the court case and, if prohibited labor is found under the Child Labor Prohibition Act, the relevant sections of the same in the charge sheet. Commission Chairperson Dr. Varnika Sharma clarified that any kind of violence, harassment or exploitation against children will not be tolerated at all and strictest action will be ensured against the culprits in such cases.