Bhuban: A Class X boy of Surapratappur village in Dhenkanal district committed suicide after he was accused of theft, a report said Sunday.
However, Bharat Puhan, the father of deceased Manoj (14), alleged that it was not a suicide case but the latter was murdered over a trivial issue. He held accused Krushnachandra Sahu, an eatery owner, his wife Cherasa and son Chandan responsible for the death.
While the police registered a case on the basis of Bharat’s complaint, Krushnachandra and his family members are absconding since the incident.
According to Bharat’s complaint, Manoj had gone to Krushnachandra’s eatery to have some snacks Friday. But, Krushnachandra alleged that Manoj had stolen Rs 70 from his cash box. Manoj was taken to Krushnachandra’s house where he was beaten up and made to confess to the crime that he had not committed. Some people recorded the brutal act on their mobile phones and later uploaded the videos on social media.
After knowing this, Bharat’s family members went to Krushnachandra’s house to enquire about it and bring back Manoj. On their way back home, Manoj succumbed to the injuries, the father alleged.
However, a preliminary investigation by the police suggested that it was a case of suicide.
He took the extreme step following the false allegation and fear of social stigma and shame after the video of his ‘forced confession’ went viral, police said adding, he had gone to Maa Kali’s temple near Damasala river and consumed poison.
The body was handed over to the family members. A probe is on and the exact reason will be known after the receipt of post-mortem report, said IIC Pramod Kumar Lenka.
PNN
PNN