Search Ends: Abigail Sara Reji, 6, Rescued In Kerala After 20 Hours, Abductors Being Tracked

In the heart of Kerala's bustling towns, amidst the routine chaos, a sudden shockwave rippled through the serene city of Kollam. The abduction of six-year-old Abigail Sara Reji sent shockwaves across the state, prompting an intensive hunt and unleashing a series of events that kept the public on edge.

It all began on a seemingly ordinary Monday evening, when Abigail and her eight-year-old brother were en route to a tuition class. What should have been an uneventful journey turned into a nightmare as a gang snatched Abigail away, leaving her brother bewildered and terrified.

The unfolding drama saw the child dropped off near an Ashramam ground in Kollam by an unknown woman in a car. The community rallied together as news of Abigail's abandonment spread like wildfire. Her physical well-being was reassuring, but questions loomed large. Who were the kidnappers? Why Abigail? What was the motive behind this heinous act?

The response from Kerala police was swift. The police launched an extensive probe, spreading their investigative nets across the state. Sketches of the suspect were released, and the manhunt intensified, gripping the attention of every corner of Kerala.

False leads and dead ends frustrated the authorities. Three men were brought in for questioning, igniting a spark of hope, but they turned out to be unrelated to the abduction. However, another lead emerged when a police raid at a car washing center uncovered a stash of cash, raising eyebrows and suspicions. Yet, amidst these pursuits, the search for Abigail continued unabated.

The intensity of the investigation expanded beyond district boundaries. From Paripally to Pullikkal, Kollam and its neighboring areas were under close surveillance. The police cast their net wider, scanning inter-state borders, keeping a vigilant eye on any suspicious activity.

Amidst the hunt, South Zone IG Sparjan Kumar underscored the comprehensive nature of the investigation, indicating that every possible angle was being explored. The pursuit to uncover the truth gained momentum with the discovery of CCTV footage capturing a white Desire car, potentially linked to the abduction, although confirmation remained pending.

The investigation revealed the perpetrators' attempt to mask their identity by employing a fake number plate, further complicating the trail.

However, the child was found on Tuesday around 1.30 pm from the Ashramam Maidanam in Kollam.

After an exhaustive 20-hour search, the child was taken to Kollam East police station where local TV reports indicate she received food and water. On televised footage, a police officer was seen transporting the child to a nearby hospital for a medical examination. Her condition is reported to be satisfactory.

Reports suggest that a group of students found the girl at the ground, mentioning that a woman had initially accompanied her. However, the woman departed, leaving the child behind, raising suspicions. "A woman was with the child at Ashramam Maidanam. But she left the child there and did not return. This made me suspicious," stated one of the students who spotted the child, as per Manorama Online.

Abigail was abducted from Oyur in Kollam district around 4:30 pm on Monday while on her way to a tuition class with her eight-year-old brother. When the boy attempted to intervene, the abductors forcibly took the girl away in their car, causing injuries to the boy's knee in the process. The child's mother received a ransom call initially demanding Rs 5 lakh, later raised to Rs 10 lakh, as reported by Manorama Online.