Chennai: After a three-month long intensive search, the police on Tuesday rescued the two-year-old gypsy girl, who was kidnapped by unidentified men near Anaikattu village in Mathuranthagam on September 15.
The police have arrested the kidnapper and further investigations are on.
According to reports, Venkatesh (32) and Kaliammal (28), natives of Manamathy village in Kanchipuram lived with their two-year-old daughter Harini. The family had visited the Edaikazhinadu Temple festival to sell beads, honey and other handmade products in an auto rickshaw which they owned. After the event at the temple, they had parked their vehicle near Pavunjur at about 10.30 pm on September 14.
Her parents had been sleeping on either side of the girl but at 1.30 am, Venkatesan, Harini's father, noticed that the child was missing. The family alerted their community members around the district and lodged a complaint at the Anaikat police station.
Initially, the police were lethargic about the issue, but the family prepared a temporary settlement in front of the Anaikat police station promising that they would not leave the place until they found the girl.
Following a complaint by the parents, Kancheepuram SP Santhosh Hadimani appointed two special teams to probe the case. CCTV footages from nearby buildings were taken from September 14 night to September 15 morning. Soon the special team was able to confirm that men on a two-wheeler may have kidnapped the girl. They had also been accessing cellphone tower records for further information.
During the investigation, the police initially got information that the girl was in Kolkata. However, on reaching the place they found it was not her. Similarly, after specific information, a special team was sent to Madurai, which also turned out to be a hoax.
Meanwhile, an NGO from Karur 'Inaindha Kaigal' took up the issue and announced Rs 1 lakh for people who could give information about the girl.
In October, a representative from the National Child Rights Commission visited the District DSP office and met the gypsy parents and promised to find her. Similarly, a child welfare organisation led by Latha Rajinikanth also extended a helping hand to find the girl.
After three months and after searching in more than two states, the police on Monday received a tip-off that the girl with similar identification marks had been found in Thiruporur in Kancheepuram.
The special police team rushed to the spot and after five hours of intensive search they rescued the girl and arrested the man identified as Prakash. Primary investigations revealed that Prakash had taken the child to give it to his friend who was married and childless.
According to the police, Doss, a resident of Kannagapatti village was married to Sangeetha 10 years ago and was childless. So Prakash and his friend, Veeramani, had kidnapped Harini from Anikat Village on September 15.
He was arrested and remanded to judicial custody. The police have launched a search for Veeramani and Doss who are absconding. Police are also conducting enquiries about Sangeetha. Meanwhile, Harini has been handed over to her parents.
