In a swift and coordinated operation, Dhanbad police on Monday recovered a newborn baby who was stolen from the government-run Shri Nirmal Mahto Memorial College and Hospital (SNMMCH). The infant was traced and rescued within 24 hours of the crime, bringing relief to the distraught family and hospital staff.
Four accused, including a couple from the Bhuli area, have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. Police described the incident as an “inhuman crime” that was handled with the utmost urgency.
Planned crime to procure a baby
Addressing a press conference at the Saraidhela police station, SP (City) Ritvik Srivastava said investigations revealed that the crime was pre-planned. According to police, the accused allegedly intended to provide a newborn to an infertile couple in exchange for money.
The main accused, identified as Abhilasha Singh and her husband Kaushal Kumar Singh, reportedly contacted two other individuals to arrange a newborn from the hospital. A deal worth Rs 3 lakh was allegedly struck, with Rs 80,000 paid in cash and Rs 70,000 through cheque, while the remaining amount was to be paid after delivery of the child.
CCTV footage cracks the case
Police said CCTV footage from the hospital proved crucial in solving the case. Visuals clearly showed a woman carrying the newborn out of the hospital premises. The infant was later transported in a white car to a house in the Bhuli area. The vehicle used in the crime has also been seized.
Dhanbad SSP Prabhat Kumar said a special police team was formed immediately after the incident was reported. “This is not a common crime. Within 24 hours, the team cracked the case, arrested all the accused and safely recovered the newborn,” he said.
Hospital lapse and legal action
Hospital records show that Sarita Devi, a resident of Bhelwe village in the Maniadih area, delivered a male child on December 24. On Saturday night, a woman posing as hospital staff allegedly took the baby from the mother on the pretext of a medical examination and never returned.
A case has been registered at Saraidhela police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The recovered newborn has been safely handed over to his parents.