Nagpur: A disturbing case of child abuse has come to light in Nagpur, Maharashtra, where a 12-year-old boy was allegedly chained and confined by his parents for nearly two months as punishment for his repeated “misbehaviour” and habit of stealing mobile phones. The ordeal, authorities say, involved the child being forced to stand on a bucket in a confined space for several hours daily, causing both physical and mental trauma.

The boy, a school dropout, was rescued on Friday after local residents alerted the authorities about the inhumane treatment he was enduring in his home in the Rameshwari area. Acting on the information, the Maharashtra government’s Women and Child Development Department, along with Nagpur police, dispatched a team from the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) to the residence.

Police said the boy was found in a terrified and distressed state, chained with a padlock around his legs. Due to limited space inside the home, he was forced to stand on a bucket for prolonged periods. Medical examinations revealed injuries on his hands and legs, likely caused by prolonged use of chains and ropes, and signs of both mental and physical trauma.

District Child Protection Officer Mushtak Pathan described the punishment as “inhuman,” noting that the boy had no adequate space to move and was allegedly deprived of food and water during the period of confinement.

According to police, the boy’s parents—daily-wage labourers—claimed that they resorted to chaining him as a measure to “control his misbehaviour.” The child had reportedly been running away from home, disobeying his parents, and stealing mobile phones, prompting them to adopt extreme punitive measures. The authorities also revealed that the boy’s education had been discontinued during this time.

Senior Inspector Nitin Rajkumar of Ajni police station stated that complaints involving the boy had previously been reported at multiple police stations across the city and nearby rural areas. Following the rescue, the matter has been referred to the Child Welfare Committee for further action.

The child has been shifted to a government-run children’s home, where he is receiving medical care and counselling to address both physical injuries and psychological trauma.

A complaint has been formally lodged against the parents, and the case is being examined under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, along with other relevant laws. Authorities emphasized that the incident constitutes a serious violation of child rights and is being investigated thoroughly.

This case has sparked outrage in Nagpur, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance and timely intervention in situations of child abuse, particularly in households where extreme disciplinary practices endanger a child’s well-being.