Jamalpur: A teenage rickshaw-puller was tortured overnight on Wednesday at Melandah in Jamalpur over theft allegation.

Locals rescued the 13-year-old boy, Musa, on Thursday noon and hospitalised him at local upazila health complex.

Melandah police officer-in-charge Nasimul Islam said, a case has been filed against five people over the incident, and one of them has already been arrested.

Locals and police said, Musa, son of Dulal Majhi, earns livelihood by pulling rickshaw. He went to return the rickshaw at its owner’s house at about 12:00 midnight on Wednesday.

When he started calling the owner, his shout awoke Rafiqul Islam Chiku, a resident of the nearby house. Angry Rafiqul then tied Musa up bringing theft allegations against him. He, along with his family members, reportedly tortured Musa the whole night.

Knowing the incident, Musa’s father tried to rescue him but failed. Later local people rescued him and sent him to hospital on Thursday.

Rafiqul’s family went into hiding after the incident.