A shocking incident of violence against a child in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district has sparked widespread outrage, leading to the arrest of the accused after the direct intervention of the state's Chief Minister. The case involves the brutal assault of an 11-year-old boy by a 30-year-old man, an act captured on video that subsequently went viral on social media platforms.
CM's Direct Order Leads to Swift Arrest
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening in the Harinagar locality on Gaya Road, came to the attention of the highest levels of the state government. Chief Minister Hemant Soren took cognisance of the disturbing viral video and immediately instructed the Hazaribag police to take necessary action. This prompt directive set the wheels of justice in motion, resulting in the arrest of the accused, identified as Alok Gupta (30), a resident of Barhi.
Dispute During Cricket Match Triggers Barbaric Attack
According to police officials, the assault stemmed from a minor altercation between children. The victim, an 11-year-old boy, had gotten into a scuffle with another minor during a local cricket match. The other boy is reportedly the nephew of the accused, Alok Gupta. Instead of mediating or acting responsibly, Gupta took matters into his own hands in a horrific manner.
Barhi subdivisional police officer (SDPO) Ajit Kumar Bimal stated that following the dispute, Alok Gupta assaulted the minor boy "in an inhumane manner." The victim's mother filed a formal written complaint, based on which the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), the new penal code.
Police Condemn Act, Investigation Expands
SDPO Ajit Kumar Bimal termed the incident "barbaric" and emphasized that violence against minors has no place in a civilized society. He revealed that the accused and his family members did not cooperate with the initial investigation, even after a notice was issued for questioning following the FIR.
"Alok was later arrested at a place near a hotel," the SDPO added. He also indicated that the investigation is looking beyond the primary accused. Two persons have been named as accused in the case, and the police are probing the potential role of other individuals involved in the incident or its aftermath.
Accused's Unusual Journey to Jail
In a curious turn of events after the arrest, the accused experienced an unusual journey to judicial custody. After a mandatory medical examination at the Barhi subdivisional hospital, Alok Gupta was being transported to jail. However, the police vehicle carrying him allegedly broke down. Consequently, he was made to walk from a petrol pump on Dhanbad Road to Barhi Chowk under police escort before alternative arrangements could be made.
The case highlights the potent role of social media and public vigilance in bringing acts of brutality to light and ensuring accountability. The swift action ordered by the Chief Minister and undertaken by the Hazaribag police underscores a stated commitment to protecting children from violence, though the incident itself raises serious concerns about civic behavior and the protection of minors in local communities.
