3 minors tied to pole and thrashed for sending lewd messages to three girls

GADAG: Three minor boys were allegedly tied to a pole and brutally beaten by a group of people after being accused of sending obscene messages to three minor girls and teasing them at Bannahatti village in Naragund taluk, in the district.

The boys were stripped and tied to a flagpole at the village panchayat office, where they were beaten mercilessly by the girls’ family members.

The boys were later admitted to the Naragund taluk hospital for treatment. However, one of the boys consumed insecticide on May 30, reportedly due to the trauma, and was admitted to KIMS hospital in Hubballi.

On May 31, a case was registered against 55 people, including the girls’ family members, under various sections, including the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. In response, a counter-complaint was filed by the girls’ families, alleging that the boys’ family members had committed offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The Gadag district police, led by Superintendent of Police BS Nemagouda visited the village and conducted an investigation. The situation in Bannahatti village remains tense, with police personnel deployed to maintain law and order.