Karnataka police sub-inspector arrested under POCSO for assaulting minors

A police sub-inspector attached to the Amruthahalli police station in Bengaluru has been arrested under the POCSO Act and suspended for allegedly assaulting minors in custody. The case surfaced after a video of the alleged abuse went viral on social media

Bengaluru: A police sub-inspector was arrested under the POCSO Act and suspended after he allegedly assaulted minors in custody, police said on Tuesday.

The police sub-inspector, attached to the Amruthahalli police station, was suspended with immediate effect pending further investigation, they said.

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According to the police, the incident occurred last year but came to light after a video of the alleged abuse surfaced online on Sunday and was widely circulated.

The accused officer had allegedly detained several minors for questioning in connection with a murder case. Instead of keeping them at the police station, he allegedly took them to another location, assaulted them and forced one minor to perform a sexual act on another.

He also allegedly recorded the abuse on his mobile phone, a senior police officer said.

Taking cognisance of the matter, police registered a case suo motu against the accused sub-inspector under the relevant provisions of the POCSO Act.

Further investigation is underway, the officer said.

The case has been transferred to Kothanur police station for further investigation, he added.

Speaking to reporters, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the sub-inspector had been suspended.

“Such incidents must never happen in our police stations. They are disgraceful. It is shameful that such personnel are recruited into the force. If police officers themselves engage in such acts and even record them, nobody will be spared,” he added.