A chilling child abduction case has gripped Odisha’s capital, Bhubaneswar, where a one-and-a-half-year-old boy was snatched from his mother’s lap three days ago. Despite extensive efforts by the Commissionerate Police, the perpetrator remains at large, leaving the distraught mother, Jayanti Mallick, a visually impaired, in anguish.
The incident occurred in the early hours of April 12 near the Ram Mandir in Niladri Vihar, where Jayanti, a resident of Kanya Ashram, was spending the night on a footpath with her two children—a five-year-old daughter and her toddler son—due to a sudden storm that prevented her return to the ashram. Jayanti, who earns a living through alms near the temple, alleges that an unknown individual approached them around 1:30 AM, offering juice and a mobile phone to distract the child before abducting him.
CCTV footage from the area has confirmed the presence of a vehicle carrying the child through Kharavel Nagar, validating Jayanti’s account. The police have launched a multi-team operation, conducting raids across four locations and scrutinizing additional surveillance footage from Chhaka Bazaar and nearby areas.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jagmohan Meena, special teams are employing both human and technical intelligence to track the suspect, with searches extending beyond the district. “We are hopeful of rescuing the child soon,” Meena stated, though no arrests have been made due to insufficient evidence.
One individual is currently under questioning, but the absence of concrete proof has stalled progress. The motive behind the abduction remains a mystery. Jayanti suspects the involvement of a human trafficking ring, a concern echoed by the Ruchika Samaj Mangal Sangathan, a local organization assisting in the search. The group has raised alarms about a possible organ trafficking gang operating in the capital, urging authorities to intensify efforts.
The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for kidnapping, and investigations are exploring all angles, including potential links to organized crime.
Meanwhile, the Child Welfare Committee and District Child Protection Officer have been alerted to ensure the safety of Jayanti’s daughter, who remains with her mother.
Jayanti’s grief is palpable. She has neither eaten nor slept since the incident, spending her days praying to Lord Ram for her son’s return. “Bring my child back,” she pleaded, tears streaming down her face. “I fear he’s been taken for something sinister.” Her words have struck a chord with residents, who are growing increasingly concerned about safety in the city.
As the search enters its fourth day, the lack of a breakthrough has raised questions about the effectiveness of the response. The community waits anxiously, hoping for a resolution to this heartbreaking ordeal.
ALSO READ: Toddler Kidnapped from Visually Impaired Mother Near Ram Mandir in Bhubaneswar
