What initially appeared to be a mysterious jewellery theft at a family wedding in Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa district was later found to be a case linked to online gaming addiction, police said.
According to officials, a woman from Sidhi had arrived in Rewa to attend a relative’s marriage along with her teenage son. On Saturday afternoon, she discovered that her jewellery box had gone missing from the house where the function was being held.
Son also found missing, police grow suspicious
The woman informed police at Chorhata police station, also reporting that her son was untraceable. This raised suspicion about his possible involvement. Police launched a search after finding that the boy’s mobile phone had been switched off.
The teenager was traced later that night in Sidhi and brought back to Rewa. Initially, he denied stealing the jewellery, even when questioned in the presence of his mother.
Jewellery recovered after sustained questioning
Following sustained questioning on Sunday, the boy allegedly confessed that he had stolen his mother’s jewellery and hidden the box at a friend’s house in Sidhi. The ornaments were later recovered based on his disclosure.
Chorhata police station in-charge Ashish Mishra said the teenager revealed he had taken loans to fund online gaming and stole the jewellery to repay the money.
Growing concern over digital addiction
Police said the case highlights the increasing impact of online gaming addiction among teenagers, particularly when it leads to financial distress and criminal behaviour within families. Officials urged parents to closely monitor digital activity and seek early counselling if signs of addiction appear.
Further legal action will depend on counselling assessments and the family’s decision, police added.