Missing 7-month-old baby girl found after 15 hours in Ludhiana; Punjab Police suspect foul play
The child was found abandoned in an empty plot behind her house; admitted to hospital
PTC Web Desk: A seven-month-old baby girl, who mysteriously went missing from her home in New Kartar Nagar, Ludhiana, on Wednesday night was found nearly 15 hours later on Thursday afternoon. The child was found abandoned in an empty plot behind her house.
The baby was immediately rushed to Deep Hospital, where she was immediately given oxygen support. Her face bore some minor marks, and doctors are monitoring her condition.
According to the family, the baby, Divyanshi, alias Roohi, was sleeping next to her mother, Meet Kaur, along with two elder daughters in their room. Around 3.30 am, the eldest daughter, Peehu, fell off the bed and began crying. The sound woke Meet Kaur, who was shocked to find Divyanshi missing. She raised the alarm, and the family began a frantic search.
Despite extensive efforts throughout the night, the baby could not be found. CCTV footage from the area reportedly captured three unidentified persons carrying buckets, which the police are currently examining.
Divyanshi’s father, Gurpreet, who runs a hotel business, said he was in Zirakpur with his business partner at the time of the incident. He claims to have last spoken to his wife around midnight. He said his aunt, who was mentally unwell, lived on the rooftop and usually locked the roof door at night, but the family forgot to lock it on Wednesday. This could have allowed someone to enter the home unnoticed. Gurpreet received a call from his wife around 4 am informing him that Divyanshi was missing.
Local residents said New Kartar Nagar was a gated colony, considered secure due to all sides being enclosed. The family, which has been living in Ludhiana since 2001, claims they have no strong suspicion about anyone at the moment. The incident, however, has sparked panic in the locality.
SHO Bhupinder Singh from Model Town police station said the case remained suspicious. He said multiple statements were emerging, including a possibility that an animal might have taken the baby. He said they were also questioning the neighbours.