LUCKNOW: Maharajganj police rescued a two-month-old baby boy who was allegedly kidnapped to be offered as a human sacrifice.The infant was recovered from Delhi’s Kashmere Gate bus stand after a four-day, multi-state search operation involving the analysis of 1,000 CCTV footage clips, electronic surveillance, local intelligence and field investigations. Three people, including two women, have been arrested in connection with the case.The rescued infant, identified as Vicky, was abducted from his home in Rajabari Tola Ramjita village, under the jurisdiction of Thoothibari police station, during the intervening night of November 2 and 3.According to police, the accused allegedly planned to sacrifice the child in the belief that it would help trace a missing husband and son and prevent untimely deaths in a family plagued by misfortune.Those arrested have been identified as Savitri, 28, Saraswati, 55, and Karan Kumar Gautam, 22. Police said Karan, Savitri’s second husband, assisted the two women in carrying out the kidnapping.The case came to light when Govind, the infant’s father, approached Thoothibari police on November 3 and reported that his son had gone missing while the family was asleep.Govind told police that he, his wife and their child were sleeping at home when an unidentified person entered the house and took away the baby between 2am and 4am.Police registered an FIR and formed multiple teams comprising personnel from Thoothibari police station, the Special Operations Group (SOG), SWAT, the surveillance unit and the dog squad.SP Maharajganj Shakti Mohan Avasthy, who supervised the investigation, told TOI that a crucial breakthrough came when officers spotted a woman carrying an infant near Rajabari Bridge at around 3.57am on November 3. CCTV footage helped track her movements towards Nichlaul Road and later Thoothibari bus stand. Investigators then questioned residents and transport workers in the area.“A bus driver provided a key lead, informing police that a woman matching the description boarded a bus around 5am and later got off near Shikarpur crossing before heading towards the Ghughli area. Further CCTV examination, local inquiries and intelligence gathering helped police identify the suspect as Savitri,” said the SP.When police reached her residence, she was found to be absconding. Police said her responses over the phone were evasive, strengthening their suspicion against her. Thereafter, police intensified electronic surveillance and began tracking her movements.“The investigation soon led officers beyond Uttar Pradesh. Based on technical inputs and surveillance data, teams traced the suspects’ movements to Delhi. A police team eventually reached Kashmere Gate bus stand, where Savitri and Karan were allegedly found in possession of a two-month-old child,” added SP Avasthy.When questioned, the duo allegedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation about the child’s identity. Police then shared photographs of the infant with complainant Govind via WhatsApp. He immediately identified the baby as his missing son, confirming his recovery.Subsequent interrogation led to the arrest of Saraswati, who police said was part of the conspiracy.According to investigators, Saraswati had been distressed over the disappearance of her husband and son several years ago and believed that a human sacrifice could bring them back. Police said the accused were allegedly influenced by an occult practitioner based in Bairiyahwa, Nepal, who reportedly advised them that sacrificing a child would solve their problems and prevent further tragedies in the family.Acting on this belief, the accused allegedly conspired to kidnap an infant and carry out the ritual.
