Three sleepless nights, 3,000 km; ‘Alangad Squad’ brings girl home

KOCHI: It was 8.30 pm on July 25. The young girl from Aluva had gone to her friend’s house to collect a book, but she did not return even after several hours. She had only her mother’s phone with her. Fearing the worst, her family sought police help. What unfolded until the girl was traced on July 29 was like a real-life crime thriller.

The police had only unclear CCTV visuals and the last tower location of the phone, which showed Kasaragod. The ‘Alangad Squad’ comprising Aluva West station SI Satheesh, civil police officers Sharon and Anshad, and woman CPO Linju concluded that the girl had been abducted.

The cyber wing joined the investigation, tracking down digital evidence. Abhijith (26), a native of Ochira in Kollam who had been selling ice cream in Cherai, was found to be accompanying the girl. The two had become acquainted through Instagram. Abhijith is also an accused in a drug case.

Abhijith travelled from Paravur by autorickshaw and met the girl, who had been waiting in Aluva. The two then went directly to the bus stand and travelled to Kozhikode.

The only lead was the signals picked up when the accused switched on the phone, which he had kept switched off. The Alangad Squad followed the trail in an Innova car. They also kept sending messages to Abhijith’s Instagram account and managed to establish his location. Mangaluru, Thane, Dharavi...

After travelling more than 3,000 km without sleep for three nights, the investigation team reached Pune. They were certain the accused was within reach. He was travelling towards Delhi on the Nizamuddin Express.

With the help of the railway police, the team surrounded the general coach of the Nizamuddin Express. The accused and the girl were taken into custody as he attempted to reach a friend in Delhi, bringing the investigation — which seemed straight out of a film — to a successful conclusion.

“We set out determined to return with the girl. Our only aim was to hand her back to her parents.”

— SI Satheesh

All the squad members are parents themselves. They said they carried the same anxiety and determination that a parent would have. The girl was in a frightened state, said woman CPO Linju.