West Bengal Teen Missing After Factory Owner's Torture Over Theft Allegations

Hans India

8 hours ago

A massive search operation is underway in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district for a 14-year-old boy who disappeared nearly ten days ago after being brutally tortured by his employer over accusations of stealing a mobile phone. Police have arrested five individuals in connection with the case, including the primary accused factory owner.
The missing teenager, originally from Islampur in Uttar Dinajpur district, had been working at a jeans dyeing factory for over a month alongside his elder brother. The family filed a First Information Report on June 3 after the boy vanished, naming four individuals along with other unidentified persons in their complaint.
The case gained wider attention when a disturbing video surfaced on social media platforms earlier this week, allegedly showing the factory owner, known by the single name Shahenshah, subjecting the minor to severe physical abuse. The footage, whose authenticity could not be independently verified, reportedly depicts shocking acts of violence against the child worker.
According to police sources from the Diamond Harbour district, law enforcement agencies are continuing their intensive search for the missing boy while pursuing the arrested suspects. Shahenshah, identified as the main perpetrator, was apprehended in Mumbai and is currently being transported to Kolkata for further interrogation and legal proceedings.
A senior officer from Rabindra Nagar police station, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the horrific nature of the alleged torture captured in the viral video. The footage reportedly shows the teenager suspended upside down with his hands bound while Shahenshah inflicted electric shocks on him as a form of punishment for the alleged theft.
During police questioning, Shahenshah reportedly admitted to torturing the boy around May 28, claiming that the teenager subsequently managed to escape from the factory premises. However, investigators have noted significant inconsistencies between his statements and those provided by other accused individuals, raising questions about the complete accuracy of his account.
The victim's family and neighbors from Islampur have disputed the theft allegations, suggesting that Shahenshah fabricated the mobile phone stealing charge to avoid paying the boy his earned wages. This theory has gained credence among local community members who are familiar with both the family and the circumstances surrounding the boy's employment.
The teenager's distraught mother has made emotional appeals through local media outlets, demanding justice for her son and his safe return. She expressed outrage at the treatment her child received while working away from home, calling for severe punishment for those responsible for his disappearance and the alleged abuse he endured.
Community members have supported the family's version of events, with one neighbor telling media representatives that the theft accusation appeared to be a deliberate attempt to avoid salary payments. According to this account, when the family contacted the factory owner after a month to request the boy's wages be sent home, Shahenshah began making excuses and delaying payment.
The neighbor suggested that the mobile phone theft allegation emerged as a convenient justification for withholding the teenager's salary, implying that the accusations were fabricated to serve the employer's financial interests rather than based on any actual wrongdoing by the young worker.
Police have expanded their investigation beyond the immediate crime scene, implementing a comprehensive search strategy that includes reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area. Law enforcement agencies have also coordinated with nearby police stations, the state's Criminal Investigation Department, and local hospitals to ensure all possible leads are pursued in locating the missing teenager.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about child labor practices and worker safety in small-scale industrial operations, particularly involving vulnerable migrant workers who travel from rural areas seeking employment opportunities. The incident has drawn attention to the need for better oversight and protection mechanisms for young workers in informal manufacturing sectors.
Authorities continue to treat this as an active missing person case while simultaneously pursuing charges related to the alleged torture and abuse. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to piece together the complete sequence of events that led to the teenager's disappearance and ensure accountability for those involved in his mistreatment.