Mumbai/Surat: A woman has given away her son, kidnapped two years ago, to another lady after she developed a ‘motherly’ bond with the boy.
The decision will leave Jignesh, now four years old, with two mothers - his biological one Shital Rajput and the adoptive one Aarti Tanavade, who lives in the Jogeshwari suburb of north-west Mumbai.
“I am a woman and a mother. I can understand Aarti’s pain as she has undergone so much trauma in her own life. I am sure she will take good care of Jignesh,” a magnanimous Rajput said Wednesday.
Working as a tiffin supplier, Tanavade, wife of a textile company employee, was widowed in 1996 and later lost her only son to an illness.
“I will give him the best of education and care. Now, Jignesh has two mothers and we shall both give him love and care,” she promised.
On January 26, 2011 Jignesh was reported missing from his home in Madhirpura, Surat.
A few days ago, a woman, Rekha Solanki was noticed moving around the locality suspiciously. The locals alerted the police, who nabbed her.
After interrogation, police learnt that she was planning to kidnap a child.
Solanki kidnapped and sold Jignesh to Tanavade in Mumbai two years ago.
A police team rushed to Jogeshwari and rescued the kidnapped boy - exactly two years later on January 26, 2013. Surat police then went to Rajput’s home, accompanied by Jignesh and Tanavade, for a reunion.
Solanki has been arrested for kidnapping and other charges. “We are interrogating Tanavade for her role in the case,” said Madhipura police inspector KC Rajput.
The two women have initiated legal procedures for the smooth adoption of the boy. Tanavade has allowed Rajput to come and visit her son any time she wished.
