One Anju Katharia alleged that the child stole Rs 280 from her wallet and gave the money to another boy. She then took the girl to the Jaswantpur police station where senior sub-inspector Shyamlal Yadav beat her up, a First Investigation Report filed by the victim's mother said.

Television channels showed how Yadav picked the girl by her ears and hair and asked her to admit that she stole the money. He also threatened and scolded the girl. Six other policemen, including Station House Officer Chandrabhan Singh, remained mute spectators as the Yadav went on beating the girl.

"My daughter saw somebody running away with a wallet in the market, but the police caught my daughter", the victim's mother claimed.

The district police justified the action, and said that the girl confessed to having stolen the money and it was also returned to the owner.

As the news of this brutal incident reached the Director General of Police Uttar Pradesh, SSI Shyamlal Yadav was sacked and SHO Chandrabhan Singh was suspended.

Cases under the SC\ST Act have also been filed against six policemen, Additional Director General, Law and Order Brijlal told mediapersond in Lucknow. Asked whether the two officers can be arrested under the SC/ST Act, Brij Lal said, "Yes they can be".

"This is an unfortunate incident involving violation of human rights of the child," he said. "We will initiate strict action against those found guilty," Brij Lal said, adding that a case has also been filed against the girl on the complaint of the person whose money was stolen.

"The case against the girl would be thoroughly investigated and no one can be pronounced guilty just on the basis of a case against him or her," he added.