Kidnapped child clings to abductor in northern India, refuses to leave after 14 months of care
by Aditi VermaIn a heart-wrenching incident in northern India’s Rajasthan, a 14-month-old child who was abducted over a year ago displayed a deep emotional bond with his kidnapper, leading to an intense and emotional scene as police attempted to reunite him with his biological family.
The incident took place in Jaipur on August 27.
Visuals showed the child clinging desperately to his abductor as police attempted to take him to his biological family. The child, visibly distressed, clutches tightly onto the abductor’s clothing, tears streaming down his face. The abductor, equally emotional, is shown with a sorrowful expression, his eyes filled with tears as he gently tries to comfort the child. Despite the police’s efforts to separate them, the child remains inconsolable, continuing to cry loudly and resist being handed over. The contrasting emotions of the child’s anguish and the abductor’s sadness create a deeply moving visual moment, capturing the profound bond that has formed between them over the past 14 months.
In Jaipur, Rajasthan, a profoundly emotional incident unfolded as a 14-month-old child, kidnapped more than a year ago, exhibited a strong attachment to his abductor. The child had been in the care of the abductor, Tanuj Chahar, an Uttar Pradesh police head constable, who despite the initial criminal act, ensured the child’s well-being throughout the 14 months. The abductor had taken good care of the child, providing toys and clothing, which fostered a deep bond between them.
On August 27, 2024, after an extensive manhunt, police apprehended Chahar, who had been living disguised as a sadhu in Mathura-Vrindavan, with the child in his custody. The dramatic moment occurred when police attempted to reunite the child with his mother. The child, however, refused to let go of Chahar, clinging to him and crying inconsolably, even as he was forcibly separated and handed over to his biological mother.
This unique situation has drawn widespread media attention, highlighting the complex emotional ties that can develop between individuals, even in distressing circumstances. Chahar, initially identified as a head constable in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested in Aligarh after a year-long search.