13-year-old who left home after being scolded reunited with family

Lucknow: A 13-year-old girl who left her home after being reprimanded over excessive mobile phone use was traced and safely reunited with her family by Sushant Golf City police during a late-night patrol, officials said on Wednesday.

Police said the girl was spotted around 1 am on the intervening night of June 10 near Ahimamau crossing on Sultanpur Road while teams were checking suspicious persons as part of routine patrolling. Finding her alone and in a distressed state, officers from the Ahimamau outpost stopped her for questioning, said ADCP, South Zone, Vasanth Kumar Rallapalli.

During counselling, the minor told police that she had left home without informing her family following an argument over her frequent phone usage and conversations with friends. She further disclosed that she had planned to first go to a friend’s house in Barabanki and then leave from there, the police said.

Sensing the seriousness of the situation, police immediately contacted the girl’s family using the details provided by her. Her parents and brother reached the spot shortly thereafter.

Officials said the police counselled both the girl and her family and helped resolve the dispute. The minor was then handed over safely to her parents after due verification.

Family members expressed gratitude to the police for their prompt intervention and vigilance, which ensured the child’s safe return.