Needle of suspicion now points to father

Cops investigating the abduction of a baby boy from Wadia Hospital on October 24 are now investigating a possible role played in it by his father. The needle of suspicion started pointing towards the baby's father Devdas Naik when cops realised that he has been lying to them from the very outset.
For one, Devdas had told the police that he had returned from Dubai when Jasmine was four months pregnant, just so he could be with his wife.

"But we have found that he had an argument with his relative in Dubai, and so returned to Mumbai. He was working as a chauffeur there," said a police officer from Bhoiwada police station.

Hiding something? Cops say the baby's father Devdas Naik has been in constant touch with a woman from Charkop, before and after he returned from Dubai.u00a0File Pic

The police have also learnt that Devdas has been in constant touch with a woman from Charkop, before and after he returned from Dubai.

"He called the woman far more than he called his wife. We have spoken to the woman once, but it has been difficult to talk to Devdas as he has been threatening to commit suicide. As he is a victim, it has been difficult to grill him," said the police officer.

The cop revealed that Devdas had told Jasmine that he wanted a baby girl, and was unhappy when his wife delivered a baby boy. The officer revealed both phones - that of Devdas and his female friend - were switched off on the day of the abduction.

"As the case is very sensitive we are working on the leads very carefully and investigating it from all angles, including that of the father's involvement," said Assistant Commissioner of Police for Bhoiwada division, R B Poman.

Doesn't add up
"If Devdas loved his wife so much, why did he leave her when she was a month pregnant? That is the time when a woman needs her husband. He told everybody that he has returned to India to be with his wife and child, but in reality he had an argument with his relative with whom he was staying, and so returned after just a three-month stay," added the officer. Naik has even declared a reward of Rs 5 lakh for the person who finds his child. "If he has so much money, why did he admit his wife to a hospital like Wadia, and not a private hospital near his home in Gorai?" asked the officer.

Kin outraged
The family members are outraged that one of them is being suspected. "We have been interrogated. Why would we steal our own baby? The woman my brother-in-law is in touch with is his sister," said Abhishek Mahapankar, the infant's uncle.

"The news is completely wrong. Why will I steal my baby? I am planning to sit on a dharna from December 20 outside the hospital," said Devdas.u00a0