People in Odisha stunned as toddler abducted from visually impaired mother’s lap in Bhubaneswar: Massive manhunt launched

By Sukant Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, April 15:  In a deeply disturbing incident that has shocked the conscience of the nation, a toddler was allegedly abducted from the lap of her visually impaired mother while she was asleep on a pavement near Ram Mandir Square in Bhubaneswar in the early hours of Sunday. The child remains missing, prompting the Odisha Police to launch a city-wide manhunt involving multiple investigative teams and heightened surveillance across critical transport points.

The crime, which occurred around 3 am, has sparked widespread outrage, with civil society groups and child rights activists demanding immediate action and long-term safeguards for the city’s most vulnerable residents.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jagmohan Meena confirmed that a formal kidnapping case has been registered at the Kharavela Nagar police station based on the complaint filed by the child’s mother.

“We have formed multiple special teams to trace the child. Efforts are underway using both human and technical intelligence. As the investigation is ongoing, we cannot reveal specific details at this stage. However, we urge citizens to come forward with any information that may assist in the rescue,” said DCP Meena.

According to preliminary reports, the mother and her two children—living in abject poverty—had taken refuge on the pavement outside Ram Mandir, an area often used as a shelter by the homeless. The mother, who is visually challenged, was asleep with her younger child in her arms when an unidentified person allegedly lured her older child with a juice packet and abducted the infant.

The mother awoke moments later to discover her baby missing. Her cries for help alerted bystanders, who immediately contacted the police.

Authorities believe the abduction was premeditated, and are investigating all possible motives, including human trafficking. Police teams have since fanned out across the city, checking railway stations, bus depots, and toll gates. All police stations in the region have been alerted, and CCTV footage from nearby areas is being examined.

The incident has provoked sharp reactions from child welfare organisations and human rights advocates, who are demanding that the state government take stronger measures to protect vulnerable children, especially those living on the streets.