2 siblings tortured by father, grandmom rescued

Bhubaneswar: Police on Saturday rescued two minor siblings from a house in Mancheswar here. They were being allegedly physically tortured by their grandmother and father. The accused woman, Jyotshnarani Patra (67), and her son, Sarat Prakash Patra (40), were arrested. There were abrasions all over the backs and hands of Subhalaxmi (10) and her brother, Satya Prakash (8), and deep cuts and bruises on their faces, police said.

"Neighbours noticed the torture meted out to the children ever since their mother died a month ago. The man, although looks mentally ill, understands everything. The neighbours brought allegations against him as well. The children also spoke against their father," said IIC of Mancheswar police station, Mrutyunjaya Swain.

According to police, the children said their father beat them up for not concentrating on their studies, stealing prasad and other food. "The father also confessed to beating his kids twice or thrice for disobeying him," Swain added. "Neighbours informed Childline India Foundation, following which the children were rescued. The children will be under their custody for now," said Swain.

Narayan Prusty, a neighbour, said they had been hearing cries and frequent quarrels in the house. "Earlier, police warned them. On Friday, the physical abuse was acute, with the children left starving."

Police said the claim that Sarat lost his mental balance after his wife's death is under verification. "The children looked frail and malnourished. The mother and son are perhaps sadistic. Further investigation will reveal if there are other intentions behind the torture," Prusty added.