In a shocking case of illegal confinement 14-year-old Premkumar, his family says, is languishing in the custody of a sweet shop owner in Karnataka.

The last of four brothers, the teenager left his home in Telungupalayam, Coimbatore, early last year to work at Muthu Sweets in Ashok Nagar, Mangalore. He returned to stay with his family briefly and again left end of last year, and his family has not seen him since.

“He said when he came to stay with us that he is being made to work late and not allowed to sleep till midnight,” his brother Rajkumar, who works at a workshop, said.

He was also not paid any salary, Rajkumar said.

His mother Pechiammal in her complaint to the Perur police said they had tried to get in touch with Premkumar several times, but in vain.

The sweets shop owner refused to send her son back home.

“We haven’t spoken to him for several months now,” said Sundaralingam, the eldest brother who sells vessels for a living.

The mother in her complaint said Premkumar could not even attend the funeral of his father, who died three months ago.

He also could not attend his elder brother’s wedding, she said.

Rajkumar said his neighbours helped the family register the police complaint.

The police have asked the family to register a complaint at the police commissioner’s office, too.

“My father left him at the sweets shop as he felt he was no good in studies,” said Rajkumar.

“He loved playing in the streets, and we just want to have him back.”