Mathura: In a heartwarming turn of events, the Government Railway Police (GRP) in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, successfully rescued a 2-year-old child who had been abducted from the Mathura railway junction after enduring a harrowing 10-month ordeal. The child was reunited with her mother, a ragpicker, marking a triumph against the odds. This report delves into the details of the child’s abduction, the extensive efforts to locate her, and the apprehension of the individuals responsible.
The Abduction
The child’s ordeal began on January 7, 2023, when she was lifted from Gate 1 of the Mathura railway junction while sleeping beside her mother, who worked as a ragpicker. The mother filed a complaint, prompting the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) under IPC sections 363 (kidnapping) and 363A (kidnapping or maiming a minor for purposes of begging) against unknown persons.
Despite extensive efforts that involved scrutinizing more than 300 CCTV cameras in the police station and surrounding areas, no footage of the abduction was found. The investigation primarily relied on a passport-sized photograph of the child, leading to a widespread search that extended to six neighboring states.
The Breakthrough
A breakthrough finally came during a checking drive at Bhuteshwar temple near the Shri Krishna Janmasthan temple when a GRP team noticed a group of men and women disembarking from a train, hurriedly exiting the station, with one person carrying a child. The GRP promptly detained the group and questioned them regarding the child.
During the interrogation, the group confessed to their involvement in the child’s kidnapping 10 months ago. The child’s identity was corroborated through body markings provided by her mother, finally reuniting the child with her family.
Grim Revelations and Ongoing Investigations
DSP Vijay Kumar revealed that the rescued child is safe and has been reunited with her mother. Additionally, the arrested individuals admitted to having kidnapped six children previously, targeting those aged between 1 to 3 years. The modus operandi of the gang involved coercing kidnapped children into begging, and as they grew older, the children were sold.
Two children were recently sold to a woman in Delhi, intensifying the urgency of the investigation. Authorities are actively working to locate other children who may have fallen victim to this gang and its associates. The details have been shared with the Delhi police to facilitate a broader inquiry.
This heartwarming rescue operation serves as a testament to the dedication and persistence of law enforcement agencies in reuniting families and seeking justice in the face of adversity. It underscores the importance of collaborative efforts and efficient policing to combat crimes against children and vulnerable populations.
