114 days after she was kidnapped at Kanchi, infant reunited with parents
TNN | Updated: Jan 9, 2019, 06:49 IST
Harini with her parents Venkatesan and KaliammalCHENNAI: The 114-day ordeal of a gypsy couple to rescue their two-year-old daughter kidnapped near the Anaikat police station in Kancheepuram ended on Tuesday. Police have rescued two-year-old Harini and arrested the kidnapper who had tonsured the child’s head to conceal her identity.
The couple had put themselves up at a temporary shelter outside the Anaikat police station and had refused to move out until their daughter was rescued. Harini was kidnapped on September 15 when the family was sleeping outside a bus stop.
Police said Venkatesan, 25, and his wife Kaliammal, 22, along with relatives went around Kancheepuram selling beads and handmade products. On September 14, after visiting the Edaikazhinadu temple, they retired for the day at Ponjur Bazaar around 10.30pm. Around 2am, Venkatesan noticed that the child was missing. The family alerted community members around the district and lodged a complaint with the Anaikat police. Police scanned CCTV camera footage and launched a hunt for the man.
An NGO from Karur also took up the issue and announced Rs 1 lakh for the people who give information about the girl.
On Monday night, police received a tip-off that the man was in Thiruporur. A special team was despatched, which, after a five-hour operation, rescued the girl. The kidnapper has been identified as Prakash, 35, of Cheyyur.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Prakash had decided to sell Harini to a childless couple. “He had left the girl in the custody of a woman named Sangeetha in Thiruporur. He had been paying money to the woman for the past three months to feed the child,” said Kancheepuram SP Santhosh Hadimani.
Police have launched a hunt for a few more people in connection with the abduction.
The couple had put themselves up at a temporary shelter outside the Anaikat police station and had refused to move out until their daughter was rescued. Harini was kidnapped on September 15 when the family was sleeping outside a bus stop.
Police said Venkatesan, 25, and his wife Kaliammal, 22, along with relatives went around Kancheepuram selling beads and handmade products. On September 14, after visiting the Edaikazhinadu temple, they retired for the day at Ponjur Bazaar around 10.30pm. Around 2am, Venkatesan noticed that the child was missing. The family alerted community members around the district and lodged a complaint with the Anaikat police. Police scanned CCTV camera footage and launched a hunt for the man.
An NGO from Karur also took up the issue and announced Rs 1 lakh for the people who give information about the girl.
On Monday night, police received a tip-off that the man was in Thiruporur. A special team was despatched, which, after a five-hour operation, rescued the girl. The kidnapper has been identified as Prakash, 35, of Cheyyur.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Prakash had decided to sell Harini to a childless couple. “He had left the girl in the custody of a woman named Sangeetha in Thiruporur. He had been paying money to the woman for the past three months to feed the child,” said Kancheepuram SP Santhosh Hadimani.
Police have launched a hunt for a few more people in connection with the abduction.
FROM AROUND THE WEB
more from times of india Cities
LATEST VIDEOS
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE