Patna: In a criminal case that has got even the judge stumped, a four-year-old boy has been named an accused on charges of assaulting a woman and attempting to molest her.
The child, Raj Kumar, has been charged under sections 323, 352, 504 and 554 of the Indian Penal Code in a Patna court.
The case has put the court in a dilemma, wondering how to proceed in the case.
Under Indian law, the police cannot file a criminal case against a child below seven years of age.
Others accused in the case include his father Kedar Prasad, his mother and another man, Hira Prasad, and his wife.
Judicial Magistrate Saheb Kausher at the Patna civil court on Monday ordered an inquiry to ascertain the age of Raj.
The court was surprised and shocked upon learning about the boy’s age.
“Before hearing the case it was ordered that his age be ascertained,” an official said.
The court failed to understand how a four-year-old could be made an accused in a criminal case.
The court has posted the matter for hearing on Aug 11.
Meanwhile, Raj is blissfully unaware about the criminal case slapped on him or that he has been charged with assaulting a woman, attempting to molest her and misbehaving with her.
Early this year, a six-year-old girl, Rani Pandey, was made an accused in a criminal case.
She was charged by police in Bhojpur district with attacking them and helping her father escape from police custody.
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