THE coach of a six-year-old Indian boy, who ran a marathon last year in an attempt to set a world record, was arrested yesterday and charged with torturing the boy, police said.

A five-year-old Indian boy whose long-distance running last year sparked protests from rights activists, has been barred from going on a proposed 500 kilometre (311 mile) walk, an official said today.

A four-year-old Indian boy who ran 40 miles in a bid for a place in the record books, has severely damaged his health, media reports said today, quoting doctors who examined the child.

India’s human rights watchdog agency has ordered a state government to investigate whether a four-year-old boy who ran a 40-mile marathon had been exploited by his sports coach and other officials.

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD child sold by his mother for less than $20 has been dubbed India’s “marathon boy” after he ran 65 km (40 miles) yesterday, but critics accused his coach of risking the boy’s health for cash.