Concerns over child safety in Mumbai have resurfaced after an attempted kidnapping of a 9-year-old girl was reported from the Bhagat Singh Nagar area in Goregaon West. The timely alertness of local residents and the presence of mind of a passerby helped rescue the child, while the accused woman was apprehended and handed over to the police.
According to police, the incident took place on the evening of March 21, 2026. The victim’s mother, Rekha (40), who works as a domestic help and has been residing in Bhagat Singh Nagar for the past 25 years, had sent her daughter to deliver kheer to a known acquaintance living in a nearby chawl.
Around 7:30 pm, the child called her mother saying she was unable to locate the house. The mother asked her to stay put and informed the acquaintance. Shortly after, she received another call from an unknown number stating that her daughter was crying and asking her to come immediately to the chawl, raising alarm.
Upon reaching the spot, the child narrated that a beggar woman had tried to lure and abduct her. Frightened, the girl managed to approach a passerby and used his phone to contact her mother. Meanwhile, the accused attempted to flee but was caught by alert locals.
A bystander informed the police control room, following which officers arrived at the scene and took the woman into custody. She has been identified as Chandaben Baiju Waghri (50).
Based on the complaint, police have registered a case against the accused for attempting to lure and kidnap a minor. Further investigation is underway to ascertain whether the woman is part of a larger gang.
Notably, this is the third such attempted child abduction reported in Mumbai in the past two weeks, raising serious concerns about children's safety in the city.