Two women who attempted to abduct newborn baby from hospital arrested

Two women, who attempted to abduct a newborn baby from the general ward of the Government HSIS Gosha Hospital in Shivajinagar, were arrested.

According to police, the accused entered the hospital and tried to lift the newborn from the bedside when the child’s relatives, a 30-year-old woman and her younger sister, noticed their suspicious movement. The alert sisters immediately intercepted the duo and raised an alarm.

The hospital staff and security personnel rushed to the spot and detained the two women before handing them over to the police.

Asma Banu delivered a baby boy on Sunday and was shifted to the general ward for recovery. She was with her younger sister Simran when the incident occurred.

The accused, identified as Rafiya, 22, and Mahek, 20, came to her on the pretext of seeking help to make a call and sat with them.

While Asma went to the washroom along with Simran, the duo allegedly lifted the baby and began to flee. Simran noticed the duo fleeing and raised alarm, prompting others to come to her rescue and catch them.

Simran snatched the baby from them and raised a complaint with the hospital staff. Based on the complaint, the police arrested the duo charging them under Section 137 (Kidnap), 62 (punishment for attempting to commit offenses that are punishable by life imprisonment or other imprisonment), and 3(5).

Probe revealed that Mehak was suffering from a mental disorder and Rafiya was deserted by her husband four years ago and took away her child. Though the duo claimed that they wanted to have a baby and decided to steal one, the reason for the kidnap is yet to be ascertained, the police said.