Kochi: Couple Remains Untraced After Abandoning Two-Year-Old Boy on Patna-Ernakulam Express
Investigation officers in Kochi are still working to trace the couple who were travelling with a two-year-old boy found abandoned on the Patna–Ernakulam Superfast Express. The incident came to light after the train reached Aluva railway station on January 17, sparking concerns and a search for the child's guardians.
Discovery and Initial Reports
Fellow passengers who handed the child over to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Aluva provided crucial details to officials. They reported that a couple had been travelling with the baby and disembarked at Thrissur railway station, leaving the boy behind. The passengers also surrendered a bag containing the child's clothes and some puffed rice, adding that the couple appeared to be from north India based on their demeanor and appearance.
Investigation Challenges
Identifying the couple has proven to be a significant challenge for authorities. No missing complaint about the child has been filed with railway authorities or the police so far, complicating efforts to locate the parents or relatives. Investigators are facing additional hurdles due to limited surveillance camera coverage at the exit points of Thrissur railway station, hindering the ability to track the couple's movements after they left the train.
An RPF officer elaborated on the sequence of events, stating, "The couple was seen feeding the boy puffed rice before the train reached Thrissur. When the train arrived at Thrissur, the couple was no longer in the compartment. The boy was left alone on the seat with the bag. So far, no complaint has been registered about the missing child." This account underscores the sudden and unexplained nature of the abandonment.
Current Status of the Child
The child is currently staying in a care home under the supervision of the Ernakulam Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Caregivers have noted that the boy has been saying 'ma', but his young age makes it difficult to determine his linguistic background or origin with certainty. This lack of information adds another layer of complexity to the case.
Legal and Procedural Complications
Officials have highlighted that even if no one comes forward to claim the child, the adoption process will be fraught with difficulties. Rules require publishing the child's photograph in a newspaper in his home district to invite objections from relatives. However, in this instance, the boy's district of origin remains unknown, making this standard procedure nearly impossible to execute. A CWC official explained, "In this case, the boy's district of origin is unknown, making the process difficult."
The investigation continues as authorities appeal for public assistance and review available evidence to reunite the child with his family or proceed with appropriate welfare measures.
