ISLAMABAD: The capital police illegally detained two minors for a couple of days, claiming they were auto-thieves, but did not book them.

The two boys, aged 12 and eight, were arrested by the Khanna police from Burma Town on March 13.

The police say the boys were caught by some locals with a motorcycle they had allegedly stolen.

The boys were later handed over to the police for further legal action.

Khanna Station House Officer (SHO) Sub-Inspector Liaquat Malik told Dawn the boys had confessed to stealing four motorcycles and that two of the stolen vehicles were recovered from them.

He said they used to dismantle the motorcycles and sell the parts.

The SHO claims the boys were moved to the Child Protection Centre, Rawalpindi on March 14.

The mother of one of the boys lodged a petition in the Sessions Court East, saying the police arrested her eight-year-old son without reason and detained him in the police station. She said the police denied her requests for releasing the boy.

The woman visited the police station again the following day and said her son was beaten by the police and that one of his teeth was also broken. She said the police had not registered an FIR against him but still would not release him.

In her plea to the court, she has said she had no choice but to approach the court for the release of her son from illegal detention.

A police officer told Dawn that an inquiry into the matter was ordered and that strict action will be taken against the concerned police officials if found guilty of wrongdoing.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2018