Puri, August 15: In a terrifying incident, a 12-year-old boy was branded with a hot iron for skipping school for several days in Odisha's Angul. After the matter came to light on Sunday, Chhendipada police arrested a man and woman, Subash Chandra Pradhan and Manjulata, concerning the alleged incident of using a hot iron to brand their minor son. Manjulata happens to be his stepmother. The couple resides in Hatianali village, which falls under the jurisdiction of Balipata panchayat within the Chhendipada police jurisdiction.

According to police sources, Subash married Manjulata after his first wife's left him. The young boy was born to Subash's first wife. Some days ago, the Manjulata allegedly told the boy to skip school when his father was away from home. As a result, the boy stayed home and occupied his time with play. On August 9, Subash returned home from his work and discovered that his son had not attended school. Before the child could tell, Manjulata informed her husband that, despite her attempts, the boy resisted the idea of going to school. Adding fuel to the fire, she also alleged that the child had been absent from school for approximately one month. Odisha Shocker: 9-Year-Old Minor Boy Branded With Hot Iron Rod in Cuttack for ‘Being Stubborn’.

Enraged, Subash caught the boy and tied him with a rope before thrashing him mercilessly. Following this, he took a heated iron rod and seared the child's body at four different locations. Hearing the child's cries, the grandmother came to his rescue and saved the boy. Infant Branded With Hot Iron Rod As a Cure For Cough and Cold.

The grandmother promptly alerted Childline Angul regarding the incident. In response, a team from Childline swiftly made their way to Hatianali village on the subsequent Saturday. Acting on the complaint filed by the child's grandmother, the police formally recorded a case and took Subash and Manjulata into custody. The couple was subsequently presented in court and then placed in judicial custody.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2023 11:27 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).