A 36-year-old man and his live-in partner were arrested by the Thiruvottiyur police on Saturday on charges of assaulting the man’s seven-year-old son.
The boy had severe bruises on his hands and legs, indicating the brutality of the assault. The incident came to light after a few locals at Rajiv Gandhi Nagar in Thiruvottiyur noticed him being beaten up by Sarala, who was living with the boy’s father Rajan. “Appalled at the cruelty, the locals brought the matter to our notice. Upon inquiry, we found the allegations to be true. Sarala was acting on Rajan’s encouragement,” said a police officer.
Rajan’s wife had deserted him and their two children a few years ago. With Sarala too separated from her husband, she subsequently moved into Rajan’s house.
“The woman was continuously harassing the child as she did not want him to stay with them. We have booked both Sarala and Rajan on charges of causing hurt and intimidation,” said a police officer.