Written Update and MB's pictures - 19th September

Veer, a small boy, is sitting on a chair in front yard of his house. His father Major Rathore comes home. He asks his wife Meena about Veer's condition who informs that there is no change in it. They go inside. Veer starts frothing and shivering. He calls for his parents and falls down from the chair to the ground. Parents come rushing out. Neighbours come too. Maj. Rathore and his wife take Veer to Army Hospital. Doctor asks the parents about Veer's injuries and bruises. Parents say that Veer is mentally weak and keeps hurting himself. In the meantime Veer's maternal grandparents come rushing to see him. Doctor shares with all of them that there were pesticides found in Veer's stomach. Veer's grandparents accuse Meena of trying to kill Veer since she is his step mother. Maj. Rathore refuses the accusation. Veer's grandmother (GM) decides to seek his custody.

08.10.2005 – Case goes to District Court, Meerut. Judge hears both the sides but is unable to come to a conclusion. He asks for an opinion on Veer's mental condition from a psychiatrist. Psychiatrist speaks to parents and examines Veer separately.

20.02.2006 – Based on the medical report of the psychiatrist, Court decides it is a case of Battered Baby Syndrome. Since there is no evidence to prove that parents intentionally harmed the child, judge pronounces that it has happened due to parental negligence. He awards Veer's custody to his grandparents.

Grandparents bring Veer to their home at Ghaziabad and start taking care of him. They find bruises and beating marks on his back. Veer also gets agitated on seeing his father's photograph. Veer's GM decides to file an FIR against his parents for physically and mentally torturing her grandson.

25.03.2006, Police Station, Meerut – Veer and his grandparents come to file the FIR. Police Inspector advises them to go to Army Court. He says that if Army Court feels the necessity, it will transfer the case to Civil Court. A junior police staff tells them that this is a simple case of parents disciplining the child.

23.08.2007 - Grandparents visit Army HQ, Meerut. Maj. Rathore manages to persuade his seniors with his side of the story.

Grandparents keep visiting both Police Station and Army HQ for four years.

12.04.2010 – They again come to Police Station, Meerut. Inspector Chauhan (IC) has just got transferred to the station. GM shows him the file. Veer explains the details of his suffering to him. IC sees injuries on Veer's forehead and leg. He decides to file an attempt to murder case against Maj. Rathore, a charge that does not come under the purview of Army Court.

Maj Rathore keeps avoiding summons to appear in court. Long judicial fight makes Veer's grandparents financially weak. They sell their Ghaziabad house and shift to Meerut. Meanwhile the details of case spread through media. Maj. Rathore's seniors direct him to appear in the court.

20.04.2012 – District Court, Meerut – Veers tells the court how his parents physically and mentally tortured him and kept him hungry. He also shares that Meena once gave him a bottle of pesticide. Seeing him frothing, his parents threw him on the ground. Maj. Rathore shouts at Veer in the court saying that he would need to prove all the allegations. Meena faints in the court. Court postpones the hearing by a week.

Army suspends Maj. Rathore. Meena threatens to leave him with their daughter if Veer's matter is not resolved. Maj. Rathore blames Meena for the entire situation. Meena instigates him to kill Veer. Maj. Rathore kidnaps Veer.

27.04.2012 – Veer's GM gets up and does not find Veer at home. She informs IC. IC goes to Maj. Rathore's house but finds that he escaped with his family in a rented car. IC gives details of the vehicle to all police check posts. Maj. Rathore is caught with family. Veer is found in the boot of the car.

28.04.2012 - Maj. Rathore and his wife are produced in court. Court sentences both of them to 10 years rigorous imprisonment. It also directs them to pay a fine of Rs. 60000/- each to be given to Veer's grandparents.

Final thoughts - According to statistics of Ministry of Women and Child Development, 88.6% victims of Battered Baby Syndrome are tortured by their parents. Episode ends with a message that there is a need for all authorities to collectively take action against issue to ensure safe and secure childhood for all children.