Saharsa, Bihar:
A 13-year-old boy from Bihar has alleged that he was brutally beaten up by a leader of the ruling Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) over false charges of stealing a fan.
Lalu Kumar, a Class 7 student, says Chandramani Prasad and a group of other men locked him up in room and then assaulted him on Wednesday. He claims they even hammered nails into his foot.
"They beat me up with a stick, punched me and then hammered three nails into my foot. They also put a noose around my neck and tried to hang me," he said.
The teenager was later handed over to the police and a case of theft was lodged against him.
Two days after the incident, angry residents from the boy's village protested against the alleged atrocity and blocked roads, forcing the police to release him from custody.
The boy's father later lodged a complaint against the JD (U) leader and his two brothers, alleging that they tried to kill his son.
The police are now searching for Mr Prasad. He has reportedly been suspended from the party following the allegations against him.
"We are looking for Chandramani Prasad and his brothers to arrest them. The boy has been admitted to a hospital," Ravindra Kumar, ADG, Patna, said.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish has promised that if found guilty, appropriate action would be taken against the leader. "Our party workers and ministers are looking into this matter. The police will take appropriate action," he said.