Mankhurd Police trace abducted 2-year-old boy after 40-hour search; two held

The CCTV footage showed a woman taking the child away, police said. Representational Pic/File

Mumbai Police rescued a two-year-old boy after an intensive 40-hour search following his alleged abduction from the Mankhurd area, officials said on Friday.

According to the police, the boy was reported missing while he was with his family near Market Road in Mankhurd at around 6 pm on September 23.

Following a complaint from his family, Mankhurd Police registered an abduction case under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Eight police teams formed

Taking into account the seriousness of the case and the child's safety, police formed eight teams involving personnel from Mankhurd, Deonar, RCF and Trombay police stations, police said.

The teams began an investigation into different possible angles and examined CCTV footage from the area where the child was last seen, it said.

During the investigation, CCTV footage showed a woman taking the child away. Police then traced her possible movements and verified information about suspected persons.

CCTV, technical data help in search

Police examined CCTV footage, analysed available technical information and gathered human intelligence as part of the search operation.

The investigation was also expanded to different locations in and outside Mumbai after police considered the possibility that the child could have been taken away from the city, the officials said.

After around 40 hours of continuous efforts, police located the child and the woman allegedly involved in the abduction.

Woman and husband arrested

"Police arrested Muskan Saha and her husband, Bholakumar Saha, both residents of Maharashtra Nagar in Mankhurd, in connection with the case," a police official said.

According to the official, the woman allegedly abducted the child while her husband helped her in the crime.

Both accused have been arrested and are expected to be produced before a Mumbai court.

Child reunited with family

Police safely rescued the child from the accused and handed him over to his family.

The investigation was carried out under the supervision of senior Mumbai Police officers, with teams working continuously to trace the child.

The police said that the successful rescue brought relief to the child's family as the boy was reunited with his parents.

Further investigation into the case was underway.