The Navi Mumbai police are searching for a 17-year-old boy who went missing on November 7 after a heated argument with his mother over his decision to shave his head. The teenager diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) left his home barefoot and without any belongings following the dispute.
On the day he went missing, the boy had gone to a local barber to shave his head leaving just a few strands of hair at the back. His mother, shocked by his appearance questioned him about his decision. “I was surprised by seeing his head bald with just a few strands of hair left at the back of his head,” she said. “I asked him the reason for getting his head shaved, as this ritual is usually performed when there’s a death in the family. He said he wanted to be involved in the Hare Rama Hare Krishna mission. I asked him to focus on his studies but he got infuriated and walked out of the house.”
His mother tried to stop him but the teen pushed her away and left. “I thought he would return once he cooled down but he hasn’t come back since. He has no money and is barefoot,” she added.
The boy’s father explained that his son had been struggling academically and facing bullying at school since his ADHD diagnosis. “He used to get scolded at home. A few classmates told me that he was often bullied, and his teachers didn’t address the issue,” the father said. “Being an introvert, he turned to spirituality to find peace. He wanted to visit Vrindavan but I convinced him to visit the ISKCON temple in Kharghar instead.”
The Belapur police have registered a kidnapping case as the boy’s whereabouts remain unknown. CCTV footage shows him walking barefoot toward Belpada. His family has distributed missing posters across the city in hopes of locating him.
The disappearance of this teen highlights the challenges faced by children with ADHD particularly in dealing with academic struggles and social pressures and the importance of family support and awareness.
