A routine patrol by a vigilant police officer in South Bengaluru on Saturday evening prevented a potential tragedy, leading to the rescue of a two-year-old boy from a mentally unstable woman and his eventual reunion with his frantic mother.
Officer's Instincts Trigger Life-Saving Intervention
The incident occurred around 5:40 PM near Ragi Gudda in Jayanagar. Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Mallikarjun BG from Tilaknagar police station was on patrol when he noticed a woman in her late 40s carrying a toddler. His training and experience kicked in immediately. He recognized the woman as the same individual who had recently caused local unrest by tearing down a Dr. B.R. Ambedkar banner, an act later attributed to her mental health condition.
Suspicious that the child might not be with her legitimately, ASI Mallikarjun approached her to inquire. The woman reacted aggressively, claiming she had "saved the child from an accident" near a convention hall and insisting that "God had given the child to her." She demanded gratitude instead of facing questions. Unconvinced by her erratic claims, the officer decisively intervened and safely took the toddler from her grasp.
Swift Police Action and City-Wide Alert
As bystanders gathered and recorded the unusual scene, ASI Mallikarjun prioritized the child's safety. Understanding the urgency, he quickly shared the child's photograph and a brief video on the South Division police WhatsApp group, alerting all nearby stations. With the exhausted child falling asleep, the compassionate officer took him to a nearby clinic for a check-up. He also bought the boy food and a small doll to comfort him during the distressing ordeal.
Meanwhile, a breakthrough was imminent. The police control room received a desperate 112 emergency call from a mother reporting her son missing from a convention hall on 2nd Main Road in JP Nagar 3rd Phase, nearly 4 kilometers away. This alert was instantly relayed to ASI Subhan Bhasha and Head Constable Manjunath BL, who were on patrol with a Hoysala team. They rushed to the scene and confirmed the details.
Emotional Reunion and a Mother's Relief
The pieces of the puzzle fit perfectly. The missing child was the same boy rescued by ASI Mallikarjun. The mother, who worked for an event management company, had brought her son to work due to childcare issues. While she was busy greeting guests, the toddler had wandered off unnoticed.
The officers facilitated an emotional reunion. The mother, overwhelmed with relief, embraced her child tightly and repeatedly thanked the police personnel with folded hands. Senior officials later emphasized that the situation could have ended tragically if not for ASI Mallikarjun's sharp observation, quick thinking, and compassionate response.
A senior officer remarked, "What saved the child was the officer's instinct that something was wrong." This incident in Bengaluru highlights the critical role of alert policing and coordinated effort in ensuring public safety, especially for the most vulnerable.
