Did a Kolkata professor kidnap a girl child?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Professor and daughter arrested for kidnapping.
- Girl rescued from their residence.
- CCTV evidence played a key role.
- Investigation ongoing for potential trafficking.
- Authorities emphasize child safety concerns.
Kolkata, Sep 22 (NationPress) - On Monday, a college professor along with her daughter was apprehended, among three individuals, on charges of abducting a minor from the Dum Dum metro station just days earlier, according to police reports, who confirmed that the kidnapped girl was rescued from their home.
As per the officials from Sinthi Police Station, Arunima Chanda, a physics instructor at Deenabandhu Andrews College in Kolkata, her daughter Anushka Chanda Chowdhury, and Chanda's brother Anupava Chanda were taken into custody in the Kasba area for the alleged kidnapping of the minor.
The incident reportedly occurred on September 19. The girl lived with her three siblings and parents on the footpath near Dum Dum Metro Station. By evening, three of the children returned home, but the minor was missing. Following an exhaustive search, her parents lodged a missing person report at Sinthi Police Station, prompting an investigation.
CCTV footage revealed that the minor was lured away by Anushka under the pretext of offering her coconut water. Arunima was present during the incident but did not intervene to stop her daughter's actions. Subsequent footage revealed that the assailants placed the child on the metro and transported her to their residence in Garia.
"They held her there since the abduction. Earlier today, police conducted a raid and successfully rescued the child. The suspects were arrested and are set to appear in court later. We will seek their police custody," stated a senior officer from Kolkata Police.
According to police sources, there were discrepancies in the statements provided by the assistant professor following her arrest.
During questioning, she asserted that her daughter Anushka had no children of her own and therefore developed affection for the minor, bringing her home to raise as her own. She also claimed they had intended to keep the girl with them for the day.
Due to these conflicting accounts, authorities are investigating the possibility of a child trafficking network operating in Kolkata or whether the kidnapping was intended for child labor.