Ahmedabad city recently witnessed a shocking and emotional case involving the kidnapping of a four-year-old girl named Vedika Bheel. This small girl went missing from the Law Garden area, a popular place where many people visit, walk, or sell items. Her mother, Aarti Bheel, works there selling water bottles on the footpath. On that evening, Aarti was busy with her work while Vedika was playing nearby. In just a short time, Vedika vanished from sight. When Aarti noticed her daughter was missing, she panicked and started searching everywhere around the garden. However, Vedika was nowhere to be found.
The disappearance of Vedika left her mother heartbroken. People around the area helped search for the child, but there was no sign of her. Aarti immediately contacted the police and reported the kidnapping. The case was taken seriously due to the age of the child and the busy nature of the area. Soon, a team from the Ahmedabad police department, especially the city crime branch, began an investigation. The entire force understood that time was very important. The quicker they acted, the better the chances of finding Vedika safely and unharmed.
The police quickly formed a special team to handle the case. Around seventy officers and personnel from different departments worked together to find Vedika. They started gathering information from people around the Law Garden area who might have seen something. Unfortunately, one major challenge was the non-functional CCTV cameras. The area had many cameras, but several were not working at the time of the incident. This made the job harder, but the police did not give up. They decided to focus on footwork and street-level investigation instead of relying on digital evidence alone.
The investigation team began talking to local vendors, street hawkers, auto drivers, and residents in nearby areas. Their goal was to gather any small clue that could help. One vendor remembered seeing a woman walking with a child who looked uncomfortable. The woman did not seem related to the child. This tip gave the team a lead. They started working on identifying the woman, cross-checking missing person records, and monitoring shelters, railway stations, and bus stops. They knew the kidnapper might try to escape the city or hide the child somewhere unnoticed, so they worked day and night without rest.
Eventually, after nearly 72 hours of intense investigation and effort, the police successfully located Vedika. She was found in the Sabarmati area, a place quite far from where she was taken. She was in the custody of a woman named Nikita Dantani. Nikita was a 35-year-old pavement dweller who lived in the Raikhad area of the city. Police arrested her immediately and rescued Vedika from her possession. The officers were careful and gentle with the girl, making sure she felt safe and calm. They took her for a medical checkup to ensure she had not been harmed.
The motive behind the kidnapping shocked everyone. According to the police, Nikita Dantani had plans to either sell the child to a childless couple or hand her over to the begging mafia. She knew that children can be used for begging by certain criminal groups. These groups force kids to beg at traffic signals and public places, earning money for the mafia. To hide Vedika’s identity and avoid being caught, Nikita even cut her hair and changed her clothes. She wanted to make Vedika look different, so no one could recognize her if they passed by.
Nikita tried her best to stay hidden. She moved around the city, going from one location to another. She knew the police were searching for her, so she avoided crowded places and stayed on footpaths and shelters. She had no fixed home and relied on sleeping in public areas or staying with other pavement dwellers. The police used information from multiple people who had seen her with a child. They slowly created a route and plan of where she could be. Their dedication and attention to small clues led them to the right place in time.
Vedika’s mother, Aarti Bheel, was filled with tears of joy and relief when she saw her daughter again. She had lost all hope after three days of fear and sadness. The moment they were reunited, many people around them also cried. It was a powerful and emotional scene. The police were praised by everyone for their quick and sincere work. Commissioner GS Malik and his team were thanked deeply for their success. Malik stated that every missing child case is treated seriously, and all officers are trained to act quickly to prevent further harm.
The city crime branch, which led the investigation, is known for solving many difficult cases. This rescue of Vedika is part of a larger initiative taken by the Ahmedabad police. Over the past nine months, they have rescued more than one hundred missing children. They have dedicated teams working under the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) and Investigative Units for Crimes Against Women (IUCAW). These teams focus on solving crimes involving vulnerable groups. Their goal is to ensure safety for children, women, and people who cannot defend themselves. Their efforts have created a safer environment in the city.
The police shared that such cases show how important it is to protect children in public spaces. Parents working in busy areas often cannot watch their children every minute. Criminals take advantage of such situations. This incident also highlighted the need for functional CCTV systems in every part of the city. The government has promised to look into this matter and fix all non-working cameras. Technology can be a great help in preventing and solving crimes, and having working cameras in public spaces is necessary for both safety and faster investigation in emergencies like kidnappings.
Citizens of Ahmedabad responded strongly to the incident. Many took to social media to share their support for the police and sympathy for Vedika and her family. The story was shared widely, and people expressed anger towards the accused woman. They also called for stricter punishments for child kidnappers. Some people suggested creating special zones in public parks where children can play safely with guards around. Others suggested that local vendors and shopkeepers be trained to notice and report suspicious behavior. People want their public places to be safe not only for adults but also for small children.
Vedika’s health condition after being rescued was reported as stable. She had been given medical attention and was under observation for some time. Doctors said she showed signs of stress and confusion, but no physical injuries were found. Experts in child psychology explained that such experiences can be mentally traumatic for children. The police, along with social workers, are helping Vedika and her mother deal with the emotional effects. Aarti was given support and comfort by other women in the area. The family is slowly returning to normal life, with hope and strength from the community.
Commissioner GS Malik gave a public statement about the incident. He explained how the police team acted quickly, worked tirelessly, and used every possible method to track the accused. He praised his officers for staying committed, even with limited resources like broken cameras. He also mentioned how proud he was that the child was returned safely. Malik encouraged other citizens to report suspicious people or events quickly so police can act faster. He reminded the public that saving a child is not just a job for the police, but a duty for everyone in the society.
This story also reminds us of the dangers many poor families face in cities. Aarti Bheel and her daughter are part of a group of people who work hard every day to earn a living in public places. They have no permanent home and are always exposed to risks. Children of such families are often left unattended because the parents are busy working. This makes them easy targets for criminals. The government and city authorities need to look deeper into how they can provide protection, education, and shelter for such families, especially those living and working on footpaths and streets.
Nikita Dantani, the accused kidnapper, is currently in police custody. She is being questioned to find out if she has links to any bigger group or mafia. Police believe she may have done this before or was planning to do it again. Her actions show how easy it is for people with bad intentions to harm innocent children if not stopped. The legal process will now take over, and she will face serious charges. The crime branch is also checking if she has any past criminal records or if she has worked with others in similar cases.
After the rescue of Vedika, more people started reporting missing children cases or suspicious behavior. This shows that awareness among the public is growing. Many feel inspired by the police’s successful action and now feel more confident in reporting crimes. Several NGOs and child rights groups also stepped forward to offer help and counseling to children and families affected by such crimes. Campaigns for child safety are being restarted in schools, public places, and on social media. Parents are being encouraged to stay alert, hold their children’s hands in crowded areas, and teach them about stranger danger.
In conclusion, the kidnapping and rescue of four-year-old Vedika Bheel is a story of pain, courage, and hope. It highlights the dangerous reality of child trafficking and the risks children face in busy cities. But it also shows the power of teamwork, strong leadership, and public support. The Ahmedabad police did a commendable job in solving the case quickly and carefully. Their actions saved a life and prevented a bigger tragedy. Let this story be a lesson for everyone to stay alert, support each other, and always protect the most vulnerable members of our society—our children.