CHENNAI: A day after a 14-year-old boy died at a de-addiction centre in Cholavaram, the police arrested four people, including the owner of the centre, for allegedly beating him to death. Officials said the centre did not have the mandatory clearance from the Juvenile Justice Board.

The arrested accused were identified as K Vijayakumar, the owner of the centre, and the staff, M Yuvaraj (24), D Dillibabu (26), and R Jeevithan (50).

Police said the boy, a Class 7 drop out, was allegedly beaten in the last 10 days during his stay in the centre. He suffered concussion because of the severe beating, and succumbed to the injuries.

His mother had admitted him to the de-addiction centre on January 21. When she found bruises and blood clots on his neck, shoulder and stomach, she approached the police alleging that he was beaten to death by the people at the centre. On Wednesday, the police had shut the centre and sent all the boys back to their parents.