In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves across Tamil Nadu, a three-day-old newborn was abducted from the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) in Tiruchirappalli, commonly known as Trichy. The brazen kidnapping, which occurred under the guise of administering a vaccine, has exposed glaring lapses in hospital security and ignited fierce political backlash.
Sukanya, a resident of Thuraiyur, had given birth to a baby boy on February 11 at the hospital. Accompanied by her cousin Prema, she was resting in the maternity ward when an unidentified woman approached, claiming the infant needed a routine check-up or vaccination. Trusting the pretext, Sukanya handed over the child, only for the woman to vanish with him moments later. The family raised an alarm immediately, prompting swift police action.
Law enforcement reviewed CCTV footage and pursued leads, resulting in the arrest of one suspect. However, the baby’s whereabouts remain unknown, leaving the distraught parents in agony. Police have registered a case under IPC Section 363 for kidnapping and are hunting for possible accomplices.
This heartbreaking event has thrust the spotlight on the woeful state of security in public hospitals, particularly in maternity wards where vulnerable new mothers and their infants should be safest. Opposition leaders have lambasted the state government, demanding immediate intervention from Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
Prominent opposition figure Govindarajan expressed profound shock, labeling the incident as unacceptable in a facility run by a self-proclaimed ‘government of the people.’ He urged the deployment of all resources to rescue the child, ensure justice for the family, and implement stringent measures like biometric verification and ID checks across all government hospitals.
As the search intensifies, this case serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for robust safeguards in healthcare facilities serving the underprivileged. Authorities assure the public that no stone will be left unturned until the infant is safely reunited with his family.