In a major breakthrough, the Commissionerate Police have successfully rescued a two-year-old boy who was abducted from his visually-impaired mother near Bhubaneswar’s Ram Mandir in the early hours of Saturday. The child was found in Balasore district, and one person has been detained in connection with the case.

Swift Action by Police Yields Results

The rescue operation followed relentless efforts by multiple police teams working under the supervision of Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena. Acting on critical leads gathered through CCTV surveillance and eyewitness accounts, the police tracked the suspected abductor across various locations, ultimately tracing the child to a house in Balasore. The owner of the residence has been taken into custody for questioning.

“This was a sensitive case involving a toddler and a mother with disability. Our teams acted swiftly, and we were able to trace the child in record time,” said a senior police officer.

Incident Details: A Night of Horror for the Mother

The abduction occurred around 1:30 AM on Saturday near the busy Ram Mandir area. The victim, 25-year-old Jayanti Mallick, a visually-impaired woman, was staying temporarily on the pavement outside the temple with her five-year-old daughter and her toddler son. The family usually sought alms in the area and resided at Kanya Ashram in Niladri Vihar.

Due to heavy rainfall that night, Jayanti decided not to return to the shelter and instead chose to sleep near the temple. She recounted that an unknown man approached them during the night, offered fruit juice, and gave his mobile phone to the toddler to keep him engaged. Exhausted, she eventually fell asleep—only to wake up and discover her son had vanished.

CCTV Footage Crucial to Investigation

Investigating officers said the turning point in the case came from CCTV footage obtained near the Ram Mandir area. The suspect was seen walking with the child towards Raj Mahal Square. Additional footage from railway stations suggested that the man used public transport to travel northwards, eventually leading investigators to Balasore.

Initial interrogation has revealed that the suspect may have a child suffering from a kidney ailment, which raises suspicion about the motive behind the kidnapping. Authorities are investigating whether the abduction was intended for illegal adoption, organ trafficking, or other criminal intent.

Mother Reunited with Her Son

After a tense two-day search, the toddler was reunited with his mother on Monday afternoon. The emotional reunion brought tears to the eyes of onlookers and rescue team members alike.

“The trauma she went through is unimaginable. We are ensuring she and her children receive proper support and care,” said a police official from the team.

Further Investigation Underway

Police have not yet disclosed the identity of the suspect, as a thorough investigation is still underway to ascertain the motive behind the abduction and whether others were involved. Authorities have also confirmed that the child is safe and undergoing medical evaluation.

This case has sparked widespread concern over the safety of homeless families and street-dwelling children, especially in urban areas like Bhubaneswar. Civil society groups have urged the administration to provide greater protection and rehabilitation for vulnerable families.

Public Reaction and Appeals

The incident has triggered an outpouring of sympathy on social media, with many lauding the swift action of the police. Citizens are also calling for stricter surveillance in public spaces, particularly around religious and high-footfall areas.

The Commissionerate Police have appealed to the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity involving children to the nearest police station or dial the 24x7 helpline.