Reel-Making Addiction: Nowadays, mobile phones are adversely affecting children, making them addicted to the reel-making. In Delhi, an alarming incident happened, in which a 14-year-old boy left home just because his mother had snatched his phone. According to police, the digital content deeply influenced the boy, and he wanted to be an influencer. He was keen on becoming a social media content creator and frequently uploaded short videos online. His parents had objected to his prolonged mobile phone usage and online gaming, leading to repeated arguments at home.
Upset over restrictions imposed by his parents, he left home in Burari on January 11 after a disagreement with his parents over his excessive mobile phone use, aspirations of becoming an influencer, and online gaming habits.
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How Police Traced The Boy
Father of the boy filed a case at the local police station with fears that his son might have been kidnapped. Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia said a team was formed to trace the minor at the earliest, given his age and the potential risks involved.
"The situation escalated when his mother took away his mobile phone, following which the boy quietly left home after taking his father's phone. Technical surveillance initially proved difficult as the phone was frequently switched off. However, the team later detected intermittent activity, including UPI transactions made from the father's account, confirming that the boy was on the move and using the device sporadically. Subsequent location inputs suggested movement through Maharashtra, indicating that the minor was travelling by train," the DCP said.
He further shared that as the investigation progressed, the phone's location was traced to Hubballi in Karnataka late on January 14, reinforcing suspicions that the boy was aboard a long-distance train.
Police analysed railway movement data, shortlisted possible trains and coordinated with Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) units across railway divisions to track the child. With trains approaching Bengaluru, details of the missing boy were shared with the railway police in the city. The coordinated effort yielded results on the morning of January 15. He was traced from the Bengaluru Railway Station through Delhi Police's 'Operation Milap'.
"GRP and RPF personnel traced the boy at Bengaluru Railway Station and placed him in safe custody. The team, along with the boy's father, immediately travelled to Bengaluru and brought the minor back to Delhi on January 19," he added.
During counselling and questioning, the boy told the police that he had boarded a train from New Delhi and intended to continue travelling further south, including to Tamil Nadu, before being intercepted by the railway police.
The boy also admitted to switching his phone on intermittently to make digital payments and upload short videos during the journey, which eventually helped police track his movement.
(With PTI inputs)