2 Held For Torturing 12 Boys From Bihar At Chennai Madrasa

Child Welfare Committee member N Lalitha said that the children told them that they were beaten with cables for not learning Quran. 

Two members held for torturing 12 kids in Madhavaram (Image for representation)

Chennai: Twelve children from Bihar were allegedly tortured and brutally beaten with cables for failing to memorize Quran at a madrassa-cum-orphanage at Madhavaram in Chennai. After the issue came to light based on a tip-off, the police rescued the children and arrested two members who were running the institute. 

According to a report in Times of India, the ChildLine authorities received a call about the alleged torture at Madrassa Walayathul Islam Yateem Khana at Ponniamman Medu in Madhavaram on Tuesday. 

Following this, Child Welfare Committee members visited the spot and held inspections. 

During the inspection, they found that 12 children from Bihar were brought to Chennai and were kept at a madrassa near Madhavaram. The madrassa-cum-orphanage was also run by Abdullah and Akthar of Bihar. 

Child Welfare Committee member N Lalitha said that the children told them that they were beaten with cables for not learning Quran. 

The home does not have a license under Juvenile Justice Act. They also do not have approval from JJ Board. Hence a case has also been registered against the trust, she said. 

Lalitha also said that the children from poor families who expect food and shelter are brought to the place to learn Quran and later become teachers.

After the inspection, Lalitha registered a complaint against the orphanage with Madhavaram police. Based on the complaint, the police also registered an FIR under four sections including wrongful confinement, voluntarily causing hurt and cruelty to children of the Indian Penal Code. 

They also arrested Abdullah and Akthar. 

Deputy Commissioner of Kolathur R Rajaram said that Akthar is the organiser of the madrassa. He has been in Chennai since 2009. Later, Abdullah came to Chennai a year ago as a tutor. 

Rajaram also said that further investigations are on. 

Meanwhile, the children who suffered serious injuries due to the sharp weapons were admitted to the hospital. Surgeries were also performed on two children since they had severe tissue damage and deep cuts on their backs, chest and face, the police told The New Indian Express.