Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Aug 13: It is learnt that Santosh Shetty from Mudrady in Hebri, who claimed that he had hired Mallikarjun, son of Basavaraj Haligeri and Shantavva couple from Bagalkot district and presently living near Kaup, for a short period, was arrested on Tuesday August 12.
Mallikarjun
The parents of Mallikarjun, who had found the boy in a bad shape in the intensive care unit of a hospital in the town on July 30, about two months since he went missing under mysterious circumstances from his home, had suspected that he was tortured. The boy had a fractured hand, and was unable to speak. Initially, Hebri poilce had dithered in the matter of booking Santosh Shetty, who reportedly runs a hotel in Hebri, in this case.
Under pressure from Children's' Welfare Committee (CWC) officials and higher officials in police department, Hebri police at last registered a case against Santosh Shetty under section 338 of the Indian Penal Code on August 10. Shetty surrendered before the police on Tuesday, and the police said they had released him on bail.
In all likelihood, Shetty will also be booked under the Prohibition of Child Labour Act, as the officials have found that as per school records, Mallikarjun is less than 13 years old. CWC has already directed the labour department to register a case under this act.
CWC chief, B K Narayan, said that the boy is currently recovering in Welock Hospital Mangalore. He said that the department will be taking all steps for his rehabilitation like health improvement and schooling, among others.