In a disturbing incident on June 22 at Kesaram village in Shabad mandal, a 14-year-old Dalit boy was reportedly assaulted after plucking a pomegranate from a tree in a local resident’s yard, according to police sources.

The victim, from the SC community, allegedly climbed the compound wall to retrieve the fruit but was caught by the retired government school headmaster who owned the property. The boy was then restrained and subjected to physical assault, prompting public outcry after a photo of the incident went viral online.

Following a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother on June 24, authorities registered a case under IPC sections 342 (wrongful confinement) and 324 (voluntarily causing hurt), along with relevant sections of the Juvenile Justice Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the accused and his son.

Reports indicate that when the complainant arrived at the scene, he was allegedly subjected to verbal abuse by the accused and his son.

Investigations into the matter are currently underway.