Thane Police Crack 3-Month-Old Kidnapping Case Using 1,600 CCTV Cameras and Toddler's Socks
In a remarkable display of investigative persistence, the Thane police have successfully solved the kidnapping case of a three-month-old infant. The breakthrough came through an exhaustive analysis of nearly 1,600 CCTV cameras and a crucial clue: the toddler's distinctive socks. This meticulous effort led to the arrest of three individuals involved in the abduction that occurred on January 22.
The Day of the Kidnapping
The incident unfolded when Farzana Mansoori, a 23-year-old resident of Mumbra, was crossing a road with her two daughters, Anbiya (3) and Afiya (3 months). As Afiya began crying, a woman wearing a burqa approached Farzana, offering to help carry the younger child while they crossed. Trusting the stranger, Farzana handed over her daughter. However, upon reaching the other side, the woman had vanished without a trace.
After a brief search proved futile, Farzana grew suspicious and immediately reported the incident to the local Mumbra police station. A kidnapping case was promptly registered, setting in motion a complex investigation.
The Investigation Unfolds
The police launched their probe by reviewing CCTV footage from the area. They quickly identified the burqa-clad woman entering an auto-rickshaw shortly after the abduction. Thane Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbare explained that while the auto's registration number was not visible, the team noticed the word 'aai' (mother) written on the back, which helped them trace the vehicle.
The auto driver informed the police that he had dropped the woman at Mumbra railway station. From there, six dedicated police teams were deployed to scan footage, initially tracking a woman boarding a Badlapur-bound train. However, this lead turned out to be a dead end when it was confirmed to be the wrong person.
A Sock Provides the Breakthrough
Undeterred, the teams revisited the CCTV recordings and spotted another burqa-clad woman. This time, although the toddler was concealed under the burqa, a few inches of the infant's socks were visible. Farzana positively identified these socks as belonging to her daughter, providing the first solid lead in the case.
The footage revealed that this woman handed the child over to a couple at Mumbra railway station before departing. The couple was then seen boarding a CSMT-bound train. Police tracked them to Thane railway station, where they changed their appearance, but subsequently lost their trail in the footage.
Narrowing Down the Suspects
Shifting focus back to the initial woman, investigators scanned additional CCTV cameras and traced her to Shadi Mahal Road in the Insha Nagar area of Mumbra. With numerous buildings in the vicinity, police leveraged local informants to identify the woman as Nasreena Shaikh.
Upon questioning, Shaikh confessed to the abduction. She revealed that she had handed the toddler over to her sister, Khairunnisa Gulab, and brother-in-law, Mohd Gulab, who had taken the child to Khetri village in Akola district.
The Rescue and Arrests
A police team was immediately dispatched to Akola, where they safely recovered the infant and arrested the couple. Commissioner Dumbare disclosed that the couple, hailing from Akola, had been childless for eight to nine years. Khairunnisa admitted to watching YouTube videos about abandoned minors in Mumbra and had discussed the idea with her sister. The pair had made previous unsuccessful attempts to abduct a child before this incident.
This case highlights the critical role of technology and traditional policing methods in solving complex crimes. The Thane police's relentless pursuit, combining digital surveillance with grassroots intelligence, ensured the safe return of the kidnapped infant and brought the perpetrators to justice.
