Man held for allegedly kidnapping two minor girls in Hyderabad

A 45-year-old man was apprehended in Hyderabad on Tuesday, August 25 for allegedly kidnapping two minor girls, who were later rescued, police said.

A case was registered after a labourer complained that his four-year-old daughter and another labourer's three-and-a-half-year-old daughter were allegedly taken away while they were playing at a labour camp on Monday evening. The accused, who lived at the same camp, allegedly took the children away, police said.

Special teams were formed to trace the girls and the accused, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Serilingampally Zone) Ch Srinivas said in a release.

A technical investigation and search operation helped police trace the accused near Ghatkesar railway station, he said.

Gachibowli police alerted railway authorities and Ghatkesar police, following which the accused was apprehended and both girls were rescued.

Police said the accused was traced within four hours of receiving the complaint at around 2 am on Tuesday. The children were subsequently handed over to their parents.

During questioning, the accused, a native of West Bengal, allegedly told police that two criminal cases had been registered against him at Karandighi police station in the state — one for attempted murder and another for rape.

He also allegedly told police that he had kidnapped people and sold them for money, with the victims allegedly being forced into begging.

Police said these claims were being verified and that the accused was being questioned about his alleged involvement in the offences and any other criminal activities.

His antecedents are also being verified to determine whether he has been involved in any previous criminal cases, police added.