Patna: A shopkeeper was arrested and sent to jail after a video showing him mercilessly beating up a minor boy for a cellphone theft went viral.

Atul Kumar, 35, owns a computer shop in Kadamkuan police station area.

In the video, Atul is seen beating up a minor boy whose hands and feet have been tied up. The boy is crying for help and pleading forgiveness, but the man continues hitting him. Four-five others are seen standing, in the video, but none of them rescue the boy. The incident occurred on Sunday.

"As soon as the police came to know of the incident, we arrested Atul from his house in Langar Toli," Kadamkuan police station house officer (SHO) Ajay Kumar said. "Atul was today (Monday) produced in a magistrate's court, which forwarded him to jail."

The SHO claimed the man, who runs a computer spare parts shop, was booked under Section 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement) and other charges of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Fifteen-year-old Munna (name changed) and his friend stole a cellphone from Atul's father at a vegetable market in Machua Toli area on Sunday morning. Atul's father caught Munna but the other boy fled. Instead of handing Munna over to the police , Atul took him home, tied up his hands and feet and hit him with a stick.

The police rescued Munna and forwarded him to a remand home. His parents were told. Police sources said Munna and the other boy, from Sahebganj district in Jharkhand, were living in Patna for the past few months and involved in theft incidents. He was said to be part of a gang behind a series of thefts targeting the old.

"The boy told police this was their first involvement in theft, but the police are probing his involvement in other cases," SHO Ajay Kumar said. "It is apparent that the man is insensitive and has a criminal mindset," said Brinda Singh, a clinical psychologist. "The minor should have been handed over to the police. He might have committed theft out of poverty or to make a quick buck. He needs proper counselling and education."