Thane: 6-month-old baby kidnapped; rescued by Kalyan police

The six moth old baby with the police

The Khadakpada police in Kalyan, along with the Madhya Pradesh police, have apprehended six individuals, who were involved in the kidnapping of a six-month-old boy from Rewa district in Madhya Pradesh. Authorities reported that among the arrested suspects is a teacher and five accomplices responsible for hatching the abduction. During the investigation, police said that the teacher, a 53-year-old man, wanted a child and paid Rs 29 lakh to acquire the child through illicit means.

According to the police, a case was filed at the Civil Line police station in Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh, on May 7. The case was registered against an unknown individual under Sections 370, 363, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. The baby boy belonged to a couple residing on the streets, who claimed in their statement to the police that a motorcyclist had approached them. They alleged that the motorcyclist forcibly took away their six-month-old baby and fled the scene.

The six accused apprehended by the Kalyan police. Pics/Navneet Barhate

"After gathering input from sources, it came to light that a couple from Kalyan were involved in the crime. Accordingly, a team of Madhya Pradesh police reached Kalyan for further investigation," said a police officer. "After receiving information from the superintendent of police, Rewa, the Khadakpada police apprehended two suspects, Nitin Rajesh Soni and Swati Nitin Soni, in Ambiwali, Kalyan West.

During interrogation, they confessed to kidnapping the child after monitoring him for five days and bringing him to Kalyan. They claimed to have handed the baby over to Pradeep Kolamba, a rickshaw driver. The police detained Kolamba, and upon questioning, he stated that the infant had been passed on to Amol Yerunkar and his wife, Arvi Yerunkar. The Yerunkar couple were also detained. Further investigation revealed that the six-month-old baby had been entrusted to Krishna Patil, 53, a teacher residing in Poladpur, Raigad, Panvel. Patil was subsequently taken into custody, and the rescued baby was recovered from his possession," said a police officer.

"Patil, who was childless, urged Yerunkar to procure a newborn, specifically aged six to seven months, promising a hefty sum. Yerunkar, employed at a renowned Mumbai hospital, agreed to steal a baby for Patil, receiving Rs 29 lakh for the task. Yerunkar asked his wife, Arvi, who works in the stock market, to assist. Arvi, while commuting daily via autorickshaw, shared their need for a baby, promising the driver and later the Soni couple from Madhya Pradesh a significant reward. With the help of the rickshaw driver, they traveled to Madhya Pradesh and orchestrated the kidnapping. The Yerunkar family then invested the proceeds in a new home," said a police officer.

The child is safe, and his health condition is good. These six accused have been handed over to the Madhya Pradesh Police along with the child, who will be later handed over to his parents," said Sachin Gunjal, deputy commissioner of police, Kalyan Division.