Kidnapped four-year-old rescued in 12-hour operation in southern India
by Aditi VermaPolice successfully rescued a four-year-old boy, Mohd Shoheb, within 12 hours of his kidnapping from a General Hospital in southern India’s Telangana.
The incident took place at MJ Market (Mahboob Jublee Market) located in the busy area of Mojam Jahi Market in Hyderabad on October 4.
Visuals showed the kidnapper, carrying the young boy in his arms, was seen passing through a bustling market area. He held the child close, blending into the crowd, as people moved around them, unaware.
According to reports, the boy, Mohd Shoheb, had been playing on the hospital premises with his father when he was taken by the suspect, identified as Shaik Rafeeq, a daily wage worker from Warangal. Rafeeq, who had recently moved to Hyderabad, reportedly intended to use the child for begging.
The boy’s father, Mohd Saddam, a carpenter struggling with personal issues, had taken his son to the hospital but later fell asleep. When Shoheb’s mother, Rubeena Begum, arrived at the hospital that evening, she found her husband asleep and their child missing. After a frantic search, the family reported the incident to Afzal Gunj police around 10 pm, prompting an immediate investigation.
As part of the operation, officers reviewed footage from over 100 CCTV cameras across a 20 km radius, tracing Rafeeq’s route from Osmania Hospital to Dabeerpura railway station. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) B. Balaswamy stated that police tracked the suspect’s movements through MJ Market, Boggulkunta, Kacheguda railway station, and ultimately to Dabeerpura.
During his attempt to flee, Rafeeq was reportedly seen begging for alms while carrying the boy and even purchased snacks and water for him along the way. Police apprehended Rafeeq at Dabeerpura railway station just as he was about to board a train. The child was safely rescued and returned to his relieved parents.
Rafeeq, who had left his family and had been living on Hyderabad’s streets, was taken into custody and is now facing kidnapping charges. The incident highlights the importance of rapid response and technological assistance in ensuring child safety, said DCP Balaswamy.