Toddler Abducted Near Bhubaneswar’s Ram Temple Rescued in 48 Hours; Accused Nabbed in Puri

Bhubaneswar: A 2-year-old boy who was abducted from near the Ram Temple in Bhubaneswar during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations was safely rescued by Commissionerate Police within 48 hours. The accused, Kedarsan Panda (27), was arrested from Puri, while the child was recovered from the Khantapada area of Balasore district.

The dramatic rescue followed a desperate search operation launched after Laxmi, a visually challenged mother of two, reported her son missing late Saturday night. Laxmi, who resides at Kanyashram in Niladri Vihar, was attending the festivities near the temple in Unit-3 with her children and had been forced to sleep outside the premises due to sudden heavy rain.

According to police, the accused approached Laxmi and her children that night, gained their trust under the guise of helping them, and then fled with the toddler while the family was asleep.

Journey to Balasore and the Role of an Acquaintance

After abducting the child, Panda travelled to Bhubaneswar Railway Station and boarded a train to Balasore. Investigators said Jhelam Rani Panda, a woman known to Kedarsan from his time working in Bengaluru, received them at the station and accompanied him with the kidnapped child.

Jhelam reportedly told police she wanted to adopt a male child in hopes that the act would bring blessings and cure her 9-year-old son, who suffers from a serious illness. Her statements are currently being verified, and her exact role in the case is still under investigation.

Operation Breakdown and Surveillance Tactics

The rescue operation was made possible through tight coordination across districts and states, with four dedicated police teams working round the clock. Authorities deployed:

• Smart City surveillance systems
• Mobile forensic tools and technical intelligence
• Eyewitness accounts and human intelligence
• Support from RPF, West Bengal Police, and police in Balasore and Bhadrak

While the child was found in Khantapada, Kedarsan was tracked and apprehended from Puri, thanks to swift action and inter-agency coordination.

Criminal Background of the Accused

Further digging into the accused’s past revealed that Panda is a repeat offender with at least three theft cases against him:

• Pahal PS Case No. 323/2023 – Theft of a Honda Activa scooter.
• Jajpur PS Case No. 486/2023 – Theft of a Honda Shine motorcycle.
• Jajpur PS Case No. 491/2023 – Theft of another Activa scooter.

Police officials believe his criminal history and familiarity with urban transport systems helped him plan the escape route quickly.

While the rescued boy has been safely reunited with his mother, police are continuing their investigation to determine whether more individuals were involved and to verify the full extent of Jhelam Rani Panda’s involvement.

The Commissionerate Police lauded the teamwork and speed of the operation and reiterated their commitment to child safety and swift justice.