RAWALPINDI: Despite passage of three weeks, police have been unable to disclose details about the kidnappers involved in the abduction of a newborn baby from the guarded nursery of Holy Family Hospital (HFH).

When contacted, the baby’s father said: “My father asked the police to show him the kidnapper who had abducted his grandson and they said that they would deal with him themselves.”

He said the involvement of the hospital staff cannot be ruled out due to which police as well as the hospital management was silent.

City Police Officer (CPO) Athar Ismail told Dawn that the police team led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) New Town had been working hard on the case from different angles – keeping in view past incidents.

The CPO said: “It might be a solitary act or it could be a gang involved. This is yet to be ascertained. Although it appears that the staff may be involved, our focus is not primarily on this.” He added that the hospital’s security has been sensitised after the kidnapping incident happened.

When the medical superintendent (MS) of the hospital was asked about the police investigation, she said she had been told by the police to let them complete their investigation and the details would be disclosed soon.

After the baby was taken and police investigation launched, a cell was established in the hospital to facilitate police who were inquiring about all the staff members on duty at the time of the incident.

On the other hand, a five-member team constituted by the MS is likely to submit a report to her by the end of the week.

The baby was found lying in a private hospital in Dhoke Syedan, four days after being abducted on Nov 4, 2021 with a letter which stated that this was the baby stolen from the nursery of HFH.

The baby dropped by an unidentified woman in the private hospital was wrapped in the same blanket which was covering a doll lying in place of the newborn in the HFH nursery on Sunday Oct 31, 2021.

After the private hospital management found the abandoned baby with a letter, they informed the police which led to the baby’s recovery.

“A woman walked into the private hospital, and left the scene after placing the baby wrapped in a blanket with a letter which said he was the newborn stolen from the HFH,” a source said.

“We are enjoying life with our loved one since he was found and brought home,” the baby’s father said, adding that, “we have named him Mohammad Irtaza and every member is enjoying days and nights playing with him.”

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2021