Minor boy tortured by 'drug addict' parents, rescued

Idukki: In a gruesome incident, a 9-year-old boy has been subjected to torture by his alleged 'drug addict' parents at Adimali in Idduki district.

The boy, suspected to have suffered more than a week-long torture at the hands of his father and mother, was rescued by some locals two days ago. He is now undergoing treatment at the Kalamassery Medical College Hospital near Kochi.

Doctors at the hospital today said the condition of the boy, admitted to the burns intensive care unit on Tuesday, was stable.

"He has suffered bruises all over his body. But he is stable now," a doctor treating the boy said.

Police said they have booked the parents under relevant sections of Juvenile Justice Act and 326(b) of IPC, which lays down the punishment for attempted act of afflicting burn injuries.

While the father of the boy was already in judicial custody in connection with another case, the mother would be arrested soon, police said, adding they suspect both parents to be drug addicts.

Police said the boy had given statements against his father and mother.

According to the boy, he was subjected to brutal torture.

His father had hit him with an iron rod while his mother attacked him with coconut. She had also poured hot water on him, police said.

Initially, the boy had told the police that he was attacked by a monkey, but later narrated his ordeal.

Police said the boy's two other siblings, who are also minors, have been shifted to safety in Painavu in Idukki district.

Child Welfare Committee of Ernakulam district said it would provide shelter to the boy once he was discharged from the hospital.