KOCHI: A group of teenagers thrashed a 17-year-old boy at Kalamassery here allegedly for falling in love with a girl, who is the sister of one of the youths, and informing their parents about their smoking habit.The victim, a resident of Glass Factory Colony in Kalamassery, was unable to stand up or walk and was admitted to the Ernakulam Government Medical College Hospital. Seven youths, all minors except one, have been booked for charges of assault, threatening and unlawful assembly, said the police.
The incident that took place in a deserted house on Thursday came to light after the video of the assault went viral on social media on Saturday. In the video, the gang of teenagers is seen punching and beating up the boy despite his repeated pleas for mercy. The assailants also forced him to dance and put his knee over small broken stone pieces.
“The youths thrashed the victim alleging that he had an affair with the sister of one of the juveniles and also for allegedly telling on their bad habits like smoking to others as heard in the video posted on social media by one of the attackers,” said P R Santhosh, Inspector, Kalamassery.
All seven youths were charged with Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous means or weapons), 341 (wrongful restraint), 506 (criminal intimidation), 146 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly) of the IPC. Police registered the case suo motu after noticing the video on social media. Police said the boy is unable to stand or walk, though he has been discharged from the hospital. Child Welfare Committee chairperson Bitty K Joseph has sought a report from the ACP on the incident.