Infant Stolen From Patnagarh Hospital Rescued, Two Arrested

Patnagarh: Police on Saturday rescued a 7-day old infant boy, who was allegedly stolen by a woman from Patnagarh sub-divisional hospital in Balangir district on March 6, and arrested two persons in this connection.

Police traced the accused after identifying the registration number of the motorcycle in which they had fled while examining the footage of a CCTV camera.

The rescued infant was later handed over to his parents.

Notably, Rudramani Tandi of Telenpali village, the father of the infant, had lodged a complaint with Patnagarh police station on Wednesday after a woman identifying herself as an ASHA worker took the infant from his wife Jayanti Tandi and fled the hospital.

Alleging police inaction, Rudramani’s family members had blocked the Patnagarh-Balangir road. Patnagarh ASI Anadi Matari reached the spot and allegedly thrashed Rudramani, who lost consciousness. Protesting against the ASI’s behaviour, residents again staged a blockade.

Following the incident, Balangir SP K Siva Subramani rushed to the spot and assured that he would take action against the ASI, following which they withdrew the blockade. He also told them that the police will find and hand over the infant to them soon.

The SP later placed the ASI under suspension.