Two police officers in Uttar Pradesh in India were suspended after they charged a 1-year-old boy and the toddler’s father with “coercion” in the lead-up to an election.
Police in the region normally compile lists of names of those they think might cause trouble in upcoming elections. In their most report report, two police officers wrote that “10-12-month-old Nazim,” as well as his father, Yasin, could disrupt election proceedings, BBC reported. The community erupted in outrage after police filed their report, especially after it was learned the officers never visited the area to ensure their facts were straight.
“We have already initiated departmental proceedings against the concerned police officials who are to be suspended,” senior police official Gulab Singh told the BBC. “It is now clear that the police officials did not visit the area and prepared their report on just hearsay without verifying facts. We have taken the matter very seriously and are ensuring such incidents do not happen in the future.”
In 2011, a boy, 5, living in the Bihar region was charged with disrupting elections, BBC reported. India law states that nobody below the age of 7 may be charged with a criminal count.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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