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Delhi: Police reported that she experienced significant societal pressure due to her inability to have a child, which ultimately led her to make the decision to abduct one.
A Shocking Story
For nine months, 27-year-old Pooja Devi orchestrated an intricate web of lies, convincing everyone around her that she was expecting a child. From her husband and in-laws to her own family, Pooja managed to deceive them all into believing she was pregnant. In a shocking twist, she even went as far as moving back to her parents’ house in Malviya Nagar, claiming that she was nearing delivery. This story of manipulation and deceit has left her loved ones in disbelief, as the truth of her actions slowly comes to light.
The deception came to light on Tuesday when she took a day-old infant from the maternity ward of Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. The baby girl was intended to be presented as her own.
Woman Arrested: Delhi Hospital
A woman, later identified as Devi, was arrested after she allegedly stole an infant from a hospital in Delhi. Police confirmed that Devi did not use a prosthetic belly to feign pregnancy. Investigators stated her natural physique was “healthy enough” to appear visibly pregnant, which helped her blend in.
What ultimately raised suspicion was her erratic behavior inside the hospital. CCTV footage captured Devi loitering near the neonatal and postnatal wards, speaking to several women, and attempting to conceal her face with a dupatta. This suspicious activity led hospital staff to alert authorities, and Devi was arrested within hours of the incident. Fortunately, the baby was safely reunited with its family.
According to Surendra Chaudhary, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest), the child was born to a couple residing in Yashwant Place, Chanakyapuri, on Monday. The following afternoon, while the mother was recovering in Ward No. 5, she stepped out briefly to get milk. Upon her return, her newborn daughter had mysteriously vanished.
“On Tuesday, at approximately 3:15 pm, a child went missing under alarming circumstances. Despite a thorough search, the child could not be located, leading the family to urgently report the incident. Deputy Commissioner of Police Chaudhary confirmed that a kidnapping case, under Section 137(2) of the BNS, was filed around 4:00 pm. Authorities have since begun analyzing CCTV footage from the hospital to track down the missing child.”
The footage captured Devi as she interacted with several patients and remained inside the ward where the baby had been admitted. Although she had made an attempt to conceal her identity, her appearance was still clear enough for the authorities to track her movements. According to Chaudhary, “She had partially covered her face with a dupatta.”
After leaving the hospital, Devi went to great lengths to cover her tracks. She boarded a Metro at the AIIMS station, traveling toward Samaypur Badli. At INA station, she switched routes to head toward Millennium City Centre. Finally, she exited at Hauz Khas station and proceeded toward Panchsheel flyover, attempting to obscure her whereabouts.
A woman was found with a stolen infant in Malviya Nagar after a detailed investigation by the police. The incident began when the woman, later identified as Devi, was seen in an autorickshaw, but the registration number of the vehicle was unclear in the footage. This led the police to check over 20 autorickshaws to trace the vehicle she had used.
After an intensive search, the authorities located the driver, who revealed that he had dropped Devi off in Malviya Nagar. Acting on this lead, the police raided a house in the area and found Devi with the stolen infant. Fortunately, the baby was unharmed and was safely returned to her family.
During questioning, Devi shared her emotional and distressing story. She revealed that she had been married for seven years to Pinku Kumar, a daily-wage labourer in Faridabad, and had been struggling with infertility. Though her husband had never pressured her, Devi felt an overwhelming societal and emotional burden due to her inability to conceive. In a desperate bid for a child, she had fabricated a pregnancy story to her family and in-laws about eight months ago.
The case has sparked a wider conversation on the societal pressures faced by women dealing with infertility and the extreme lengths some may go to in an attempt to fulfill societal expectations. The police are continuing their investigation into the matter.
Days before the theft, she left her marital home, claiming that her due date was approaching, and moved to her parents’ house. On Monday, she left home, saying she was being admitted to Safdarjung Hospital for delivery. However, on Tuesday, she returned with a stolen infant in her arms.
Delhi: Authorities report that her husband was completely unaware of the deception.
“Her actions were driven by a deep sense of desperation and the intense pressure to become a mother in the eyes of her family and society,” an officer explained. “While we understand the emotional strain, the crime she committed was not only illegal but could have put the life of the child at serious risk.”
The woman, identified as Devi, remains in police custody and is facing kidnapping charges. Meanwhile, hospital authorities are reviewing their security protocols in light of the disturbing incident.
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