A six-month-old infant was rescue within 48 hours of her abduction in Suraram and five persons, including two juveniles, have been arrested in connection with the case.

The accused were identified as Sridevi, 35, a resident of Mailardevpally; Karthik, 18; and Johnson, 24, both from Rajendranagar, along with two juveniles aged 17. All the accused are natives of Karnataka but were residing in Hyderabad.

The incident came to light in the early hours of May 4 when the child’s mother, Navaneetha, lodged a complaint stating that her baby girl had been kidnapped by unknown persons from a spot opposite Narayana Mallareddy Hospital at around 2 a.m.. Based on the complaint, Suraram police registered a case and formed four special teams to trace the child.

According to investigators, the crime was premeditated. Sridevi hatched the plan to procure a baby for her sister-in-law, who was distressed due to childlessness. She conspired with her associates, all of whom worked in the catering sector. The group conducted reconnaissance at the hospital on May 3 before returning later that night and targeting a family sleeping on a footpath. Taking advantage of the situation, two of the accused abducted the infant and fled on a motorcycle.

Following an analysis of CCTV footage and other technical evidence, police identified the suspects and tracked them down to a function hall in Rajendranagar. The accused were apprehended on the night of May 5, and the infant was safely rescued.

Police seized a motorcycle and five mobile phones used in the offence.