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India police charge toddler for 'theft and trespassing' India police charge toddler for 'theft and trespassing'
(about 2 hours later)
Police in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have been left red-faced after charging a toddler with theft.Police in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have been left red-faced after charging a toddler with theft.
Two-year-old Ravi's father took him to a court to surrender after police came to their home to allegedly arrest him. Two-year-old Ravi had been named in a police complaint along with three men, one of whom was his relative.
Ravi was named in the police complaint along with three men, one of whom is a relative of the boy. Police attempted to arrest the toddler on Tuesday - causing his alarmed father to take Ravi to the district court, where he explained the situation to senior police officers, reports said.
After the incident caused outrage in the area, senior police officials intervened and Ravi's name was taken off the complaint. Ravi's name was taken off the complaint after the senior officers intervened.
A theft was reported from Bajehra village in Sitapur district on 20 September, police said. A theft had been reported from Bajehra village in Sitapur district on 20 September, police said.
On the basis of a complaint by the victim and other villagers, police registered a case against four men, including the boy, the Press Trust of India reported.On the basis of a complaint by the victim and other villagers, police registered a case against four men, including the boy, the Press Trust of India reported.
They were all accused of "theft", "trespassing at night" and "dishonestly receiving stolen property". All four were accused of "theft", "trespassing at night" and "dishonestly receiving stolen property". It is not clear why Ravi's name was included in the initial complaint.
The three adult accused were earlier arrested and lodged in jail. The three accused adults have already been arrested and lodged in jail.
But when the police went to arrest Ravi on Tuesday, his alarmed father took the toddler to the district court, where with help from some lawyers, he approached a senior police official and narrated the incident to him, PTI reported.
The official ordered the police to remove the boy's name from the complaint.
Under Indian law, police cannot file a criminal case against a child below seven years of age, but there have been several instances in the past when police have done so.Under Indian law, police cannot file a criminal case against a child below seven years of age, but there have been several instances in the past when police have done so.
Last year, two policemen were suspended for charging a one-year-old child with "coercion" ahead of a by-election, also in the state of Uttar Pradesh.Last year, two policemen were suspended for charging a one-year-old child with "coercion" ahead of a by-election, also in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
In 2011, a five-year-old boy in Bihar state was charged with disrupting the peace during village council elections. Police later said it was a case of mistaken identity and they meant to charge his elder brother with disorderly conduct.In 2011, a five-year-old boy in Bihar state was charged with disrupting the peace during village council elections. Police later said it was a case of mistaken identity and they meant to charge his elder brother with disorderly conduct.
In 2006, the Bihar police charged a six-year-old girl with attacking them and helping her father escape from police custody.In 2006, the Bihar police charged a six-year-old girl with attacking them and helping her father escape from police custody.
And in neighbouring Pakistan, a nine-month-old boy was accused of planning a murder, threatening police and interfering in state affairs.And in neighbouring Pakistan, a nine-month-old boy was accused of planning a murder, threatening police and interfering in state affairs.