In a dramatic turn of events, six-year-old Abigail Sara Reji, who was kidnapped late Monday evening in Kollam district, Kerala, was miraculously found abandoned at Ashramam Maidan on Tuesday afternoon. The heartwarming reunion followed a tense 22-hour period during which the entire state held its breath.
The discovery was made by vigilant college students who promptly alerted the police after finding the visibly tired Abigail at the maidan. The child was soon reunited with her father, and a heartening video call with her mother and brother ensued. Medical professionals at the armed police camp in Kollam confirmed Abigel's good health after a thorough evaluation.
The twist in the tale unfolded when an autorickshaw driver revealed that a middle-aged woman had left Abigail at the maidan, but her identity remained elusive. It appears the woman strategically left the scene to evade the intensifying police investigation and public scrutiny.
Despite the joyful reunion, the kidnappers remain at large, prompting an intensive police search. Authorities revealed that no leads to the abductors have been found thus far.
Notably, no ransom was paid for Abigail's release. Earlier, a pencil sketch was created of a man accompanying a woman at a provision store in Parpalli, where the kidnapper demanded a ransom of ₹10 lakh through a phone call made from the shop owner's phone.
Although three individuals were initially apprehended and later released, they were associated with a car wash company suspected of servicing the vehicle used in the kidnapping.
In a shocking parallel incident, police confirmed an unsuccessful kidnapping attempt just 10 km away from Abigail's residence. A four-member gang, including a woman, tried to abduct a 10-year-old girl, prompting a state-wide high alert.
The parents of the kidnapped girl received two ransom calls, both from the same woman involved in the abduction. The first call demanded ₹5 lakh, increasing to ₹10 lakh in the second call, with instructions to have the money ready by Tuesday for the child's safe return.
The police tracked the ransom calls to a shop in Parippally, where the abductors made an urgent call using the shop owner's phone. CCTV visuals revealed the use of a white Honda car in the kidnapping, and unconfirmed reports suggest the abductors switched to an auto-rickshaw after ditching the car.
Abigail's brother, who thwarted the kidnappers' attempt, reported that the gang wore masks and appeared unfamiliar. The family, now reunited with their daughter, awaits justice as the police continue their relentless efforts to apprehend the culprits and bring them to account.