Kanpur: In a bizarre yet poignant incident that underscores the impact of parental scolding on young minds, a 10-year-old boy in Kanpur hid inside the storage compartment of his bed (diwan) to evade his mother’s reprimand, prompting a frantic two-hour police search before he was rescued unharmed.
The episode unfolded on Tuesday in Naubasta Yogendra Vihar, under Hanumant Vihar police station limits. Around 11 am, the boy’s mother scolded him for cycling outside and chatting with a 13-year-old neighbour girl, despite repeated warnings. Fearing further punishment or a beating, the frightened child slipped into the bed box instead of entering the house properly when sent on an errand.
When the mother returned home about two hours later, she found the boy missing and immediately alerted the police. Officers launched an intensive search, combing the neighbourhood, reviewing CCTV footage, and checking nearby residences.
After exhaustive efforts, the team discovered the boy safely tucked inside the diwan at his own home. The team promptly pulled him out, unharmed. Overwhelmed with relief, the mother embraced him tightly, cautioning that such hiding could lead to suffocation and even prove fatal.
DCP South Deependra Nath Choudhary recounted the sequence, emphasising how the child’s fear drove him to this extreme measure. The incident serves as a reminder for parents to balance discipline with sensitivity, lest it trigger unintended distress in children.