A seven-year-old boy and his mother were arrested in Chattogram on kidnapping charges, sending shockwaves through the local court and police departments. The arrest followed a complaint filed by a woman whose four-year-old son went missing from Chattogram Medical College Hospital in April. Police detained the child and his mother from the city’s Soloshahar area and presented them before court, which ordered the mother to jail and the child to a juvenile development center in Tongi.

Legal experts and rights activists quickly pointed out that under Bangladesh’s Children Act, no child under nine can be treated as an accused. Following this revelation, the prosecution sought bail for the child, which the court granted on Sunday. Chattogram Metropolitan Police officials said they are reviewing the incident and will take corrective measures if procedural errors are confirmed.

The case has reignited debate over the handling of minors in the justice system, highlighting gaps in police training and child protection protocols. Authorities are now under pressure to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents.