Patna: A high-level probe into the arrest of a 14-year-old vegetable seller of Patna in connection with a motorcycle theft case in March has found loose ends in the police theory.

The probe started on the directive of chief minister Nitish Kumar, who took cognisance of the matter and sought a report within 48 hours.

First, the investigating officer submitted the chargesheet in the case (number 87/18) lodged with the Bypass police station in Patna City sub-division without the supervision of the deputy superintendent of police. Moreover, the boy was picked up from his house whereas police records showed he was spotted on the Bypass road in a suspicious manner.

Second, the family members claimed the boy was taken into custody from his Chitragupta Nagar rented house in the evening (around 7pm) on March 19, while the police records showed he was arrested on March 21 (4am). The boy was illegally detained at the police station for two days and thrashed, before he was sent to jail along with two others in the motorcycle loot case.

Third, according to the Aadhar card, the boy was born in 2004 and was a minor when arrested. Rule says he should have been sent to the remand home and the case referred to the juvenile justice board. The police, however, treated him as major (above 18 years of age) and was subsequently sent to judicial custody in Beur Central Jail. The boy had no criminal antecedents.

The boy's parents claimed he was implicated in the case for his refusal to give jackfruit to police personnel after Holi, free of cost, the police had another version. The cops posted at Agamkuan police station denied having ever visited the victim's vegetable stall. The CCTV installed at a nearby sweets' shop at Chitragupta Nagar has already lost the video footage.

The chinks in the police's claim surfaced during a preliminary inquiry conducted by inspector-general (Patna zone) Nayyar Hasnain Khan on Friday. Khan along with deputy inspector-general (central range) Rajesh Kumar visited the victim's house at Chitragupta Nagar soon after an in-camera recording of the statement of his father Sukan Paswan and mother Gudia Devi.

The IG later visited the Beur jail to verify the records of the boy. He also inquired about the conduct of the boy from the prison department officials. Unconfirmed reports said the IG talked to the boy and two others booked in the motorcycle loot case. The Agamkuan police had also remanded the minor boy in two other theft cases.

The IG is learnt to have summoned then DSP of Patna City Hari Mohan Shukla and another police officer Vikas Kumar, who is currently posted as superintendent of police of Katihar. In addition, the station house officer of Agamkuan police station, Mundrika Prasad, and the investigating officer of the case have been directed to depose before the IG to record their statement on Saturday.

Father Sukan said: "The IG has promised to deliver justice to the family. At the same time, he has assured that stern disciplinary action will be initiated against the erring cops."