On Friday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a petition alleging sexual assault and custodial torture of a 17-year-old boy by Gujarat Police, raising concerns over police brutality and protection of minors.
The plea was filed by the boy’s sister under Article 32 of the Constitution, claiming that the minor was illegally detained by Botad Police between August 19-28 on suspicion of theft. During this period, he was allegedly subjected to brutal beatings and sexual assault, without being produced before a Magistrate or given a medical examination. He is currently in the ICU of Zydus Hospital, Ahmedabad, undergoing dialysis for kidney damage, besides suffering seizures and loss of eyesight.
The petition alleged that the boy was tortured with sticks inserted into his body and that his family was coerced into signing papers suggesting the injuries were accidental. It sought urgent constitution of a medical board at AIIMS, a court-monitored SIT or CBI probe, registration of an FIR under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), and Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and exemplary compensation.
A bench comprising CJI B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran noted the seriousness of the allegations but declined an immediate hearing, stating the matter would be taken up shortly.
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