LAHORE: Kotwali Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) police on Sunday recovered a newborn who was kidnapped two days ago from the Lady Wellingdon Hospital, arresting a couple allegedly involved in the crime.

The police said Muhammad Irfan of Muridke had got his pregnant wife admitted to the hospital four days ago where she gave birth to a baby boy.

At the hospital, a woman, Nasreen Bibi, introduced herself to his wife as an employee and won her trust by helping her during her stay their. Finding an opportunity, the woman stole the baby and disappeared.

The CCTV footage of the ward showed the woman leaving the facility with the baby covered with her veil.

On being reported the matter, the police registered the case and started investigation.

CIA Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Usman Gujjar said that during investigation it transpired that Nasreen Bibi and her husband Bilal had kidnapped the baby from the hospital’s surgical ward and took him to their house.

He said the police conducted a raid on the suspects’ house in Makkah Colony, Gulberg, recovered the newborn and arrested the couple.

Quoting the suspects, he said the couple was childless and wanted to adopt the baby.

He said the couple was being further interrogated.

Recently, there has been a surge in the kidnapping of newborns from city hospitals.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2019