Minor who left home after quarrel with sister over TV remote found in Delhi

Lucknow: A 12-year-old boy from the Gudamba area, who left his home on Aug 1, 2025 after a petty quarrel with his sister over a television remote, was eventually traced to Delhi, where he had been working at a tent house in Chandni Chowk, police said on Friday.

The family registered a missing person’s complaint with the police. However, after the initial investigation failed to reveal any clue about the child’s whereabouts, the case was handed over to the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of the Lucknow Police.

The case saw a breakthrough earlier this week, on June 3, when the boy called his father from an unknown number and revealed his location in Delhi.

Acting swiftly, the AHTU team of the Lucknow Police, including Anil Kumar Kushwaha and Gulab Singh, traced the call and launched an operation that led to Ajay’s recovery from the Chandni Chowk area within hours.

Police investigations revealed that the boy had neither been abducted nor trafficked but had left home following a quarrel with his sister over a television remote.

Officers said that although the boy wanted to return home, he was afraid of being scolded by his parents, which kept him away for months.

Police said the boy was found healthy and had not faced any exploitation during his time away. His statement has been recorded, and legal formalities are underway before he is presented before the Child Welfare Committee.