CCTV trail: How Hyderabad police rescued a kidnapped 4-year-old boy in 12 hours | Hyderabad News

HYDERABAD: A four-year-old boy who was abducted from Osmania General Hospital on Monday evening while he was playing with his father on the hospital premises was rescued within 12 hours of the report. The kidnapper, identified as Shaik Rafiq, a daily wage labourer, was also arrested by Afzal Gunj police in Hyderabad on Tuesday. As part of the rescue operation, the police checked the functioning of more than 100 CCTV cameras located along a 20-km stretch from the hospital to the Dabirpura railway station.

Using CCTV footage, the accused was caught as he was about to board a train at Dabirpura railway station. The child was rescued safely and handed over to his parents, said B Balaswamy, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Hyderabad East Zone.
The boy, Mohd Shoheb, lives with his family at Mangar Basti, Mallepalli, in the city. His parents, Mohd Saddam, a carpenter, and mother Rubina Begum, quarreled on Monday morning over Saddam’s alcohol addiction and other family problems. Three months ago, Saddam attempted suicide.
After an argument, he left the house with Shoheb, saying that he was going to Osmania Hospital for treatment, but they did not return home even by late evening. Concerned, Rubina went to the hospital in search of her husband and son. In the hospital waiting room, she found Saddam in deep sleep, but Shoheb was missing. She woke him up, but he knew nothing about the child. They looked for the child in the hospital, but the boy was nowhere to be seen.
Later, at 10 pm, they lodged a complaint with the police, after which the police registered a case of kidnapping and sent special teams to rescue the child.
An analysis of video surveillance cameras at the hospital showed that the unknown person was taking the boy with him. Further analysis of cameras tracking the suspect’s movements led the police to MJ Market, Boggulkunta, Kacheguda railway station and Dabierpura railway station.
Police said that after crossing MJ Market, the suspect began begging while showing off the child and even bought snacks and water for the boy to drink. He carried the boy with him all the way, walking to Dabirpura. Police said his motive was to beg with the boy and earn easy money.
Originally from Warangal, Sheikh Rafiq moved to the city a few years ago after an argument with his family members. From then on, he lived on the footpaths and earned his living by working for a daily wage. The boy was handed over to his parents and the accused was taken into custody, Balaswamy said.