Little boy in Pakistan forced to lick hot iron to prove innocence in theft case

<p>
Three men have been arrested in Pakistan for forcing a child to lick a hot axe head to prove his innocence in a theft case, according to a report in the country’s leading English daily Dawn.</p>
<p>
The suspects accused Tehseeb, a shepherd boy, of stealing a kettle. The child has suffered severe tongue burns and was taken to hospital for treatment.</p>
<p>
Police arrested Siraj, Abdul Raheem and Muhammad Khan for  the crime and case has been registered against them on the report of the victim’s father Jan Muhammad, sources told Dawn.</p>
<p>
The tribal Baloch still use the draconian water and fire tradition to prove innocence of someone suspected to be involved in any crime at Takht Sulaiman tehsil. If a suspect remains under water for a specified time and comes out alive, he is considered innocent and if he comes out before time, he stands guilty, the Dawn report explained.</p>
<p>
Similarly, a person is considered innocent if he remains unscathed after crossing the burning embers or licking hot iron otherwise, he is penalised for being guilty.</p>
<p>
Some tribal people, it is said, settle disputes by resorting to this inhuman practice in the absence of a judicial system.</p>
<p>
Sources said a reconciliation group comprising notables was expected to settle the matter, according to the Dawn report.</p>