Desperation for a Male Heir Leads to Infant Abduction: Police Intervene Just in Time

In a heart-wrenching incident that gripped Hyderabad, a month-old baby boy was abducted from the bustling Niloufer Hospital, triggering an intense rescue operation. The abduction, carried out by a couple from Andhra Pradesh and their relative, unfolded as a tale of desperation for a male child. The baby was taken on the evening of November 23, but thanks to Hyderabad police’s rapid and coordinated efforts, he was reunited with his family within hours.

The child’s mother, Haseena Begum, had brought him to Niloufer Hospital for treatment after he developed jaundice following his birth on October 25 in Zaheerabad, Telangana. As she and her mother prepared to leave the hospital, a woman, veiled in a burka, offered assistance with the discharge paperwork. In a calculated move, she gained their trust, diverted their attention, and vanished with the baby.

A frantic Haseena reported the abduction to the Nampally Police Station, prompting the formation of five specialized teams. Investigators, using CCTV footage, tracked the suspects traveling along National Highway 44 towards Andhra Pradesh. Police alerted multiple stations along the route and intercepted the kidnappers' vehicle at Pullur Toll Plaza in Jogu Lamba Gadwal district early on November 24.

The perpetrators, identified as Abdulla alias Venkatesh, his wife Reshma alias Renuka, and her younger sister Shaheen Begum, had planned the crime meticulously. Abdulla and Reshma, married since 2009, had three daughters and feared that their fourth child—due in a month—would also be a girl. Overwhelmed by societal pressure and their desire for a male heir, they plotted to kidnap a baby boy with the help of Shaheen, who had traveled to Hyderabad under the guise of assisting Reshma during her pregnancy.

The plan unfolded with Shaheen abducting the infant while Abdulla waited nearby in an autorickshaw. Their hopes of escaping to Anantapur were thwarted by the swift and strategic actions of the Hyderabad police. The child’s safe recovery was confirmed after verifying his photograph with Haseena.

This incident highlights the dangerous consequences of deeply ingrained gender biases and societal expectations. While the baby is now safely back with his family, the case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address these underlying issues. The Hyderabad police’s prompt response and coordination across jurisdictions stand as a testament to their dedication and efficiency, ensuring justice and safety for all.