The alertness of a trio in Govandi helped save a four-year-old from a 30-year-old paedophile, and put the pervert behind bars. The incident occurred on December 9. The toddler, who resides with her daily wage labourer parents in the telecom colony in Govandi was abducted by the accused, who stays in the same locality, on Sunday evening while she was playing outside. He then took her to a secluded place between the colony and Agarwadi, an old residential area.

Around the same time, Agarwadi resident Sachin Mohite (24), was strolling near a playground in the area while talking on the phone. Two others, Haresh Rane (26) and Mahesh Rane (27), residents of Deonar colony, were also in the area for an evening walk.