7-year-old boy escapes from kidnappers

The Antop Hill police arrested a couple along with their friend on Tuesday, on charges of kidnapping a seven year-old boy.

The Antop Hill police arrested a couple along with their friend on Tuesday, on charges of kidnapping a seven year-old boy.

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The trio is in police custody and is being interrogated by the police. The boy, meanwhile, has been reunited with his parents.

The incident took place in September when Mohammad Baig’s parents approached the Antop Hill police when he did not return home after playing. The victim’s father, Hasiun Zaid, a labourer by profession, got a missing persons complaint registered at the police station.

Assistant police inspector PS Bagul said: “Zaid came to the police station, accompanied by Mohammad on February 6. Zaid told us Mohammad came home that morning.”

Mohammad narrated the event to the police.

“Mohammad had been picked up by a couple, Meraj, 36, and Afreen Qureshi, 27, with the help of their friend Shadab Maqsood Baig, 20. The Qureshis did not have a child and hence picked up Mohammad and took him to their Wadala residence,” said Bagul.

“Mohammad told us he was asssaulted by the accused and had marks on his back. We got him admitted to Sion hospital,” Bagul said.

On Monday, the couple did not bolt the door properly before they went out. Sensing the opportunity, Mohammad pushed open the door and fled. He approached Raja Devendra, a resident of the area, who brought him home.

The Qureshis insist they found Baig crying for help and took him along, said the police.