Siblings flee from home after being scolded, rescued from Bhadrvathi

BENGALURU: A shocking incident has come to light in the city where two siblings, aged 13 and 9, ran away from home after being scolded by their parents for not attending tuition classes. The siblings took advantage of the state’s Shakti free bus travel scheme for women and children and travelled extensively across the state.

The incident occurred on February 1, when the siblings left their home in Marathahalli’s Ashwathnagar area. The 13-year-old girl had an Aadhaar card, which allowed her to travel for free, while her 9-year-old brother travelled without a ticket.

The parents had filed a missing persons complaint at the HAL police station, and the police had alerted authorities across the state and shared information on social media.

The siblings were eventually found in Bhadravathi, where a member of the public recognised them from the social media post and informed the police. The police tracked them down and handed them over to their parents.

The incident highlights the potential misuse of the free bus travel scheme, which was intended to benefit working women and children.