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

Biranchi Das was held after Budhia Singh's mother said she had discovered scars on her son's body, police said.

Budhia became an instant celebrity in record-crazy India when he ran 40 miles at the age of four - a feat that drew widespread condemnation from medical officials and child rights activists.