A court in Thane has delivered a stern verdict, sentencing three people to three years of rigorous imprisonment for the kidnapping of a five-month-old infant last year. The ruling brings a measure of closure to a distressing case that involved the abduction of a baby from a family sleeping on the streets.
Court Delivers Verdict After Examining Evidence
Additional Sessions Judge Suryakant S Shinde found the three accused guilty under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for the crime committed in October 2024. The convicted individuals are Javed Amjat Ali Nhavi (35), Jayashree Yakub Naik (45), and Surekha Rajesh Khandagale (34). The court, however, acquitted them of charges under section 143 related to trafficking. The judge noted that while the prosecution successfully proved the act of kidnapping, it could not establish the exact purpose, such as sale or forced labour, behind the crime.
The Distressing Kidnapping and Swift Rescue
The incident unfolded on the night of October 12, 2024. The infant's mother, Vanita Rakesh Pawar, who works as a scrap collector, reported that her baby was taken while the family was asleep under the Rabodi flyover bridge in Thane. The investigation took a crucial turn when police analyzed CCTV footage from nearby buildings.
The footage clearly captured a woman dressed in a red saree picking up the baby. It further showed her later meeting with two other accomplices to hand over the child. Acting on a specific tip-off, a police team conducted a raid on a premises in the Rabodi area. This swift action led to the successful rescue of the baby and the subsequent arrest of all three accused persons.
Legal Outcome and Sentencing
After examining the evidence and witness testimonies, the court held the trio culpable for the kidnapping. The sentence of three years of rigorous imprisonment reflects the gravity of the offense. This case highlights the effectiveness of surveillance technology in modern policing and the legal system's focus on crimes against vulnerable sections of society, particularly children.
The judgment underscores that even without a proven motive for trafficking, the act of kidnapping itself carries severe penal consequences under the law. The swift police work ensured the child was reunited with the family, preventing a potential tragedy.
