Combined effort by Delhi Police and locals led to missing boy being found in three hours. (Agence France-Presse)
A three-and-a-half-year-old boy, who went missing from near his residence in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar, was found after coordinated efforts by police and locals in three hours.
Delhi police sprung into action immediately after the boy's father reported at around 6 pm yesterday that his son had gone missing from the Delhi Jal Board ground where he was playing.
According to police, Gopal said his son was was playing in the ground near his house at about 2 pm and while he left for work, his wife got busy in some household work. His wife then noticed that their son was not in the park and after failed efforts to locate him, a kidnapping case was registered.
DCP of South district, Prem Nath said 12 teams were formed to trace the child and message was also flashed to inform all police stations.
"The large scale police operation drew the attention of general public and they also joined in the search operation.
Meanwhile, a police team got information that the child with the same description was seen with one Kamal at the roundabout of Malviya Nagar," he said.
Kamal, who works as a cleaner in a private bus, was traced to near Begumpur Masjid and was found taking care of the child. He told police that he had found the boy roaming alone at Malviya Nagar roundabout and as the boy was not able to tell about his parents and home, he was trying to get him identified, police said.
Commending the efforts of the locals, Nath said they would be recommended for suitable reward.