Netizens have showered praise on Mumbai Police after details of a relentless six-month operation came to light on Sunday. The case pertained to the kidnapping of four-year-old Aarohi earlier this year — triggering a multi-city bid for rescue that eventually led officials to Varanasi.
“Mumbai Police… You just gave us the gift of hope and happiness. For this alone, you rank as one of the finest forces in the world,” applauded business leader Anand Mahindra.
What happened to the toddler?
According to details shared by Mumbai Police, Aarohi was kidnapped from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus while travelling with her parents. The investigation eventually led to an orphanage in Varanasi through the efforts of MRA Marg Police Station. A photo shared on X showed the child standing with her beaming parents and other officials after the rescue operation.
“The investigation uncovered that the accused had taken her by train from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Varanasi. Several teams were swiftly mobilised, conducting a thorough search from Mumbai to Varanasi, examining CCTV footage across railway stations, and coordinating with Varanasi Police. The child was ultimately found safe at an orphanage,” the Mumbai Police handle wrote on X earlier this month.
But the crisp summarisation appears to have left out several details — including the way officials in Mumbai had refused to close the case and led a determined search for the four-year-old.
‘Officers carried her photograph in their pockets and…’
“The police refused to close the file. They printed posters with Aarohi’s face, stuck them on every platform from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Bhusawal to Varanasi Cantt. They ran newspaper ads, knocked on doors, and begged journalists for help. Six months is a long time for hope to stay alive, but some officers carried her photograph in their shirt pockets like it was their own child,” wrote X user Mohini Maheshwari.
