Daijiworld Media Network - Palnadu
Palnadu (Andhra Pradesh), Aug 11: In a deeply disturbing incident, six boys — five adults and one minor — have been accused of attempting to give electric shocks to two minor Dalit boys at a BC Welfare Government Hostel in Palnadu district, officials said on Monday.
The incident took place on August 7, reportedly as a targeted attack stemming from a mutual relationship between one of the victims and a minor girl. The situation escalated when a video showing one of the minors being physically assaulted by fellow hostel residents went viral on August 9, prompting swift police intervention.
According to Palnadu DSP P. Jagadeesh, the assault appeared premeditated, with the victim allegedly having received multiple warnings to end the relationship before the attack. The accused admitted to the attempt to administer an electric shock — though this specific act was not caught on video.
Out of the six accused:
• Two are outsiders not residing in the hostel.
• Three live in the same hostel as the victims.
• One minor accused has been taken into custody until August 22.
Legal proceedings for the adult accused are still underway.
The hostel warden, M. Deepika, confirmed the video’s authenticity, showing a Dalit minor being beaten by fellow students, and reported the matter immediately to authorities.
Police have registered a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The case has sparked outrage on social media and renewed calls for stronger protection of marginalised communities in institutional settings, particularly in educational hostels meant to support underprivileged students. Investigations are ongoing.