Nagpur: Mauda police traced a four-year-old girl allegedly kidnapped from Raipur and found her safe with a 32-year-old man near the Mauda toll plaza on Tuesday. The suspect was detained and later handed over to Raipur police for further investigation.

The girl had allegedly been kidnapped from the Saraswati Nagar police station area in Raipur. Following a complaint by her father, Saraswati Nagar police registered a case under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

After being alerted by Raipur police, Mauda police launched a search for the missing child. Police maintained special vigilance around the Mauda toll plaza and began checking suspicious vehicles.

During the vehicle-checking operation, police found the missing girl travelling with a man. The child was immediately taken into protective custody. The man was detained and identified as Amritpal Singh Bakshi Singh, 32, a native of Amritsar, Punjab, who is currently residing in Hirapur, Raipur.

Mauda police immediately informed Saraswati Nagar police about the recovery of the child. The girl and the detained suspect were subsequently handed over to Raipur police for further legal proceedings.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of Nagpur Rural Superintendent of Police Harsh A. Poddar, Additional SP Anil Mhaske and Kanhan Sub-Divisional Police Officer Shashant N.M. The operation was led by Assistant Police Inspector Bharat Lasante, in-charge of Mauda police station.

Police are continuing the investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the girl’s alleged kidnapping and her movement from Raipur to Mauda.