Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Oct 15: In a shocking incident at Burdwan Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal, a woman and her daughter were arrested for allegedly stealing an 18-day-old baby, police confirmed on Wednesday. The accused, identified as Rinki Khatun, alias Rumki Khatun, and her mother, Minira Bibi, were taken into custody on Tuesday night.

According to police reports, the baby’s mother, Selefah Khatun, had brought her child to the outdoor children’s ward for a routine check-up. While sitting on the maternity ward veranda, a woman approached them, asked to hold the child, and suddenly fled with him in her arms.

Panic-stricken, the mother raised an alarm, prompting media coverage of the incident. Neighbours of the accused, living in a rented house in Uttarpara near Khagragarh in East Burdwan district, grew suspicious upon seeing the child with Rinki Khatun and alerted the police.

Officers from Burdwan police station immediately rescued the infant and arrested the two women on charges of child theft. The baby was safely returned to the maternity ward of the hospital, reuniting with the relieved family.

Authorities are currently investigating the motive behind the theft.