An educational institution that provides learning and behavioural support to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities alerted the police after a 17-year-old student shared disturbing details during a counselling session. The abuse that the teen spoke about is alleged to have taken place at the family’s South Mumbai residence, officials said.

The centre’s psychologist had observed sudden changes in the teen’s behaviour over several sessions. The boy, who had become increasingly withdrawn, anxious and hesitant to communicate, was invited for a one-on-one interaction where the counsellor took him into confidence. During this “safe-space” conversation, the teen disclosed information suggesting that he had been subjected to troubling experiences at home.