Police in Andhra Pradesh’s Palnadu district said six boys — five adults and one minor — allegedly tried to give an electric shock to two minor Dalit boys at a government BC welfare hostel. The incident took place on August 7 and appears to be linked to an attempt to separate one of the victims from a minor girl he was in a consensual relationship with.
The case came to light on August 9 after a video of violence inside the hostel went viral on social media. “A group of six boys—five adults and one minor—allegedly tried to give an electric shock to a minor Dalit boy at the government hostel,” Deputy Superintendent of Police P Jagadeesh told PTI.
Police said the assault was planned after the victim had been warned several times to end his relationship with the girl. The accused have admitted to attempting the electric shock, though that part was not recorded in the video. Two of the accused are from outside the hostel, while three live there.
One minor accused is in custody until August 22, while the court will decide on the others. Hostel in-charge M Deepika said the video, which shows a minor boy being beaten by fellow students, led to swift police action.
A case has been filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
