CUTTACK: In a major breakthrough, the Commissionerate of Police on Saturday arrested a 34-year-old woman who was involved in several theft cases of newborn babies from SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack and rescued two children.
The woman has been identified as Manashi Samal alias Mamina of Nimasahi under Purighat police limits. Police also rescued two stolen infants and arrested three persons who had purchased the babies from Manashi.
They are Sumati Samal of Panchupal under Baranga police limits, Mamata Das and his husband Pramod Das of Banipada under Choudwar police limits. While a day-old male baby stolen by Manashi on Wednesday was rescued from Sumati, another male child stolen on January 5, was rescued from Mamata. The rescued babies have been admitted to SNCU of SCBMCH.
Commissioner of Police YB Khurania said on Tuesday, Puspa Patra of Dhenkanal district who was admitted to Obstetrics and Gynaecology department had delivered a male child. On Wednesday, Pabitra, husband of Puspa, and his sister-in-law Hara had taken the baby to vaccination centre located near the department for immunization at 11.30 am.
A woman impersonating herself as an ASHA worker came forward to assist Hara in administering polio drop. The lady who took the newborn into the centre with immunization card asking them to wait at the outside however did not return.
After failing to find out the lady and the baby, Pabitra filed an FIR at Mangalabag police station. Later, police verified the CCTV footage and released the sketch of Manisha. Acting on a tip-off, police conducted a raid and nabbed Manashi.