Nagpur Boy Missing for 12 Days Reunited with Mother After Anti-Trafficking Unit Rescue
In a heartwarming conclusion to a tense 12-day ordeal, a 10-year-old boy who went missing from his home in Nagpur's Kalamna area was successfully tracked down by the anti-human trafficking unit of the crime branch and reunited with his mother on Friday. The case, which initially raised fears of foul play, was ultimately traced to a domestic dispute between the parents.
Disappearance and Initial Search
The episode began on February 15, when the child suddenly vanished from his mother's residence in Durga Nagar near Tirupati shop in Kalamna at approximately 3 pm. His 30-year-old mother, deeply concerned, launched an extensive search with family members but to no avail. Given the boy's young age, suspicions arose that an unknown person might have lured or abducted him, prompting her to approach Kalamna police to lodge a formal missing person report.
Acting swiftly on the complaint, Kalamna police registered a crime under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which specifically deals with kidnapping a minor from lawful guardianship. This legal step underscored the seriousness of the situation and set the stage for a coordinated investigation.
Domestic Dispute Uncovered
As the investigation progressed, police soon uncovered that the disappearance was not the work of an outsider but stemmed from ongoing marital tensions between the parents. The father had allegedly taken the drastic step of fleeing with his elder son after his wife repeatedly denied him access to the child. This revelation shifted the focus of the case from a potential abduction to a parental dispute, highlighting the emotional complexities involved.
The father had been living separately from his wife in Mouda, and it was from this location that the rescue operation would eventually unfold. The case was escalated to Nagpur City Police's specialised anti-human trafficking unit, which launched a parallel and intensive search operation to locate the boy.
Rescue Operation and Reunion
Drawing on reliable information, the anti-human trafficking team, led by senior inspector Lalita Todase, traced the boy to his father's custody on Friday. The child was found staying with his father at a new house construction site belonging to one Chandu Bhoyar in the Borgaon area, within Mouda police limits in Nagpur rural district.
The squad acted swiftly on the tip-off, reaching the location, locating the minor in his father's company, and taking him into protective custody. To ensure his well-being, the boy underwent a thorough medical examination, received counselling, and was questioned sensitively in a child-friendly environment, prioritizing his emotional state throughout the process.
Following completion of initial formalities and counselling, the child was handed over to Kalamna police for legal proceedings and the reunification process. He was eventually restored to the custody of his relieved mother, bringing emotional closure to the 12-day ordeal. The entire operation was supervised by additional CP Vasant Pardeshi, DCP Rahul Maknikar, and ACP Abhijit Patil, showcasing effective coordination among law enforcement agencies.
Key Takeaways
- Timely Intervention: The quick registration of the case under relevant laws facilitated a structured investigation.
- Specialised Unit Involvement: The anti-human trafficking unit's expertise proved crucial in tracking the boy amid domestic complexities.
- Child-Centric Approach: The focus on medical care and counselling ensured the minor's physical and emotional recovery.
- Community and Police Collaboration: Reliable information from sources played a pivotal role in locating the child.
This incident underscores the importance of vigilant law enforcement and community awareness in addressing cases involving minors, especially when domestic disputes escalate to such levels. The successful reunion serves as a reminder of the resilience of families and the dedication of police forces in safeguarding children's welfare.
