A 14-year-old boy was allegedly tortured at a jeans dyeing factory in Maheshtala, South 24 Parganas, near Kolkata, on suspicion of stealing the factory owner’s mobile phone, police officials said.

The boy who works as a worker at the factory was allegedly hung upside down, beaten, and given electric shocks by the factory owner, Shahenshah, officials further said.

A purported viral video of the incident led to police intervention, and the boy was rescued with serious injuries.

“An individual known to the main accused has been arrested and an investigation is ongoing,” an official said.

The boy’s family claims that he was falsely accused and they have filed a complaint. “After searching, we found out that he did not steal the mobile phone. He was tortured in this way by slandering him. We have complained to the police,” the boy’s uncle told media persons.

The boy’s family, on seeing the video, contacted the Islampur Police Station as well as filed a complaint at the Rabindranagar police station in Maheshtala. They also approached the Patagoda outpost of Islampur police station, demanding that police take immediate action to bring their son home safely.

Police officials said that both the accused and the victim are from Islampur and the incident reportedly took place in the Kankhuli Purbapara area of Ward No. 8 at a factory, run from a rented house by the owner.