Bengaluru Police Face Child Rights Commission Probe Over Alleged Torture of Minor
The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has initiated scrutiny of Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara police following disturbing allegations that officers tortured an 11-year-old boy in an attempt to extract a confession about stolen gold ornaments. The incident has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about police procedures involving minors.
Alleged Gold Theft Incident and Police Involvement
The controversy stems from a complaint filed by a woman residing in the area who reported that her gold chain weighing approximately 120 grams went missing in August 2025. According to her statement, she had asked the minor boy to watch her luggage while she arranged transportation to Krishnagiri, her hometown in Tamil Nadu. Upon her return, she discovered that a purse containing gold ornaments had disappeared from her belongings.
After returning to Bengaluru later that month, the woman approached the boy's father multiple times regarding the missing gold, but the family consistently maintained the child's innocence. Last week, she sought assistance from Parappana Agrahara police in tracing the ornaments but specifically declined to file a formal complaint or register a First Information Report.
Police Questioning and Conflicting Accounts
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Electronics City) M Narayana stated that the boy and his parents were summoned to the police station on two consecutive days for questioning. "The boy was questioned by a child protection officer and a woman police officer on both occasions," Narayana explained. "He consistently pleaded innocence, and we informed the complainant about this outcome. The matter was concluded at that point."
However, the situation took a dramatic turn when the boy's parents released videos on social media platforms alleging severe misconduct by police personnel. In these videos, the parents claimed that officers:
- Separated the child from his parents and took him into a room alone
- Switched lights on and off repeatedly to intimidate and disorient him
- Physically assaulted the minor during interrogation
- Pressured him to confess to the theft through coercive tactics
Child's Harrowing Allegations and Police Response
In one particularly disturbing video statement, the 11-year-old boy claimed that police officers threatened him with severe consequences if he didn't admit to the crime. "They told me my parents would be jailed for three years if I didn't confess to stealing the gold," the child alleged in the social media post that initially brought the incident to public attention.
While firmly denying all allegations of misconduct, DCP Narayana confirmed that an internal inquiry has been ordered to investigate the claims. "No FIR has been registered in this matter since the woman never filed a formal complaint," he maintained. "The questioning of the parents and child was conducted casually without any harassment. We are taking these allegations seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation."
Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigation
The case has highlighted several critical issues regarding police procedures when dealing with minors, including:
- The appropriate protocols for questioning children without parental presence
- Psychological impact of interrogation techniques on young individuals
- Accountability mechanisms within police departments
- Child rights protections during law enforcement interactions
As the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights continues its examination of the incident, legal experts emphasize the importance of proper procedures when minors are involved in police matters. The commission's findings could potentially lead to policy changes regarding how law enforcement agencies in Karnataka handle cases involving children, particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds.
The internal police inquiry ordered by department officials will run parallel to the child rights commission's investigation, with both expected to provide clarity on what transpired during the two days the boy was questioned at Parappana Agrahara police station. The outcome may have significant implications for police training and protocol development across Bengaluru and potentially throughout Karnataka state.
