Bhubaneswar: A disturbing incident that shocked the country’s conscience, a toddler allegedly kidnapped by the legs of a visually impaired mother, fell asleep on the road near Ram Mandir Square in Bhubaneswar in the early hours of Sunday. The child remains missing, prompting Odisha police to launch a city-wide pursuit involving multiple investigative teams and adding surveillance at critical transport points.
The crime, which took place around 3 a.m., sparked widespread anger with civil society groups and child rights activists demanding immediate action and long-term protection of New York City’s most vulnerable residents.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jagmohan Meena confirmed that a formal kidnapping case had been carried out at the Kharavela Nagar police station based on the complaint filed by the mother of the child.
“We have formed multiple special teams to track children. Efforts are underway using human and technical intelligence. As the investigation is underway, we cannot disclose specific details at this stage. However, we urge citizens to come up with any information that may help the rescue.”
According to preliminary reports, the mother and her two children (living in poverty) avoided the sidewalk outside Ram Mandir, an area where homeless people often use as shelter. The visually challenged mother, her little child fell asleep in her arms when an unidentified person allegedly attracted her older child with a juice bag and kidnapped the baby.
The mother woke up a moment later and found that her child was missing. Her call to help warns the bystanders, who immediately contact the police.
Authorities believe that the kidnapping was premeditated and that all possible motives, including human trafficking, are being investigated. After that, the police team radiated fan shapes throughout the city, inspecting the train station, bus station and toll gates. All police stations in the area have been alerted and are checking for CCTV footage in nearby areas.
The incident has sparked a sharp response from child welfare organizations and human rights advocates who have asked the state government to take stronger measures to protect vulnerable children, especially those living in the streets.
