Relatives of a nine-year-old girl residing in Andheri East, who had gone missing around 1.30 pm on Monday, were shocked to find the child begging outside the Andheri railway station around 7 pm the same day. The child was found in the company of an individual claiming to be a 17-year-old girl who lives in the same area. The Meghwadi police were subsequently informed about the matter, and they arrested the accused and are verifying her claims.

The child was admitted to the Hindu Hruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Care Municipal Hospital in Jogeshwari East on Tuesday for tests. The girl’s father, a 47-year-old driver, told mid-day, “My child was playing outside when she suddenly disappeared. We searched the neighbourhood but couldn’t find her. A few hours later, relatives spotted her begging outside Andheri railway station. We rushed at the spot and rescued her. The person she was with resides in our area.”