Alert villagers and swift police action helped rescue a five-year-old differently-abled girl who was allegedly abducted from the premises of Chhatrapur sub-divisional hospital in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Sunday.
Police arrested 41-year-old Dhruba Goud of Rajpur village in connection with the alleged abduction. Police said Goud had earlier spent nearly four years in jail in a rape case.
Girl allegedly lured with biscuits and soft drink
According to Chhatrapur IIC Sabyasachi Malla, the girl had visited the hospital with her grandmother when Goud allegedly approached her and offered her biscuits and a soft drink.
Police said he gained the child’s confidence before taking her away while her grandmother was searching for a doctor.
When the grandmother returned and could not find the girl, she alerted the police.
CCTV helps police track accused
Police immediately examined CCTV footage from the hospital premises and reportedly found the accused taking the girl away.
Four police teams were formed to trace the child, while her photograph was circulated on social media to seek help from local residents.
The search continued through Sunday as police worked to locate the girl and identify the accused’s whereabouts.
Villagers spot girl 10 km away
The breakthrough came on Sunday night when villagers in Danei Brahmapur, around 10 km from the hospital, spotted the girl after recognising her from the photograph circulated on social media.
The villagers reportedly apprehended Goud and alerted the police.
Police reached the village, rescued the girl and arrested the accused.
Accused produced in court
Police said Goud had spent nearly four years in jail in connection with a rape case registered against him in 2011.
He was produced before a court on Monday.
The rescue has highlighted the role of quick police action, CCTV surveillance and public alertness in locating the child and bringing the alleged accused into custody.