From correspondents in India, 12:33 AM IST

The owner of a scrap godown here was booked Thursday after he and some other people tied two girls to an electricity pole when they were caught stealing from the godown.

The police booked the godown owner Vijay Kumar for wrongful confinement. The girls, who are rag pickers, were also booked for theft.

Police officials said that five girls scaled the godown wall to steal scrap. When the owner saw them, he and others were able to nab two of the girls. They were later tied to a pole and beaten up.

Kumar told the police that earlier too thefts had been taking place in his godown.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)