Three men were arrested in Sitamarhi district, Bihar, after a disturbing video went viral showing five minor boys being publicly humiliated for allegedly stealing chocolates.
The video, which drew widespread outrage on social media, showed the children with their heads shaved, faces smeared with lime, and garlands of slippers around their necks as they were paraded through a local market in Majorganj.
Police identified the accused as Ravindra Kumar, a grocery shop owner, and his associates Vaibhav Kumar and Sameer Kumar. According to investigators, the trio confessed to the abuse, claiming they believed the children were responsible for repeated thefts from Ravindra’s store.
“An FIR was registered after the video surfaced, and all three were arrested and presented before the court,” said Ram Krishna, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Majorganj.
Authorities took action promptly after the district Superintendent of Police directed a probe. The children are reportedly safe and being counseled by child welfare officers.
The incident has sparked widespread calls for stricter enforcement of child protection laws and stronger action against vigilante justice.
