A widely shared post on X described how a four-year-old girl who had disappeared from central Mumbai nearly six months earlier was finally located in Varanasi and returned to her parents. The account prompted significant public response, including a message from industrialist Anand Mahindra commending Mumbai Police for their persistence.
The post on X set out the sequence of events behind the child’s disappearance, the investigative steps taken by the police, and her time at an orphanage before she was identified. It also detailed how officers greeted her when she flew back to Mumbai, marking her return on Children’s Day with balloons and a new dress.
Reacting to the story, Anand Mahindra wrote: “Mumbai Police… You just gave us the gift of hope and happiness. For this alone, you rank as one of the finest forces in the world.”
His remark drew further praise for the police. One response stated: “This is the best news in a long time. Thank you to Mumbai Police and all involved. There is no greater service to a parent and child than this.”
Another user commented: “Well said, sir. What they delivered was more than just a successful operation; it was a profound act of self-actualization. That moment of reunion is a legacy that far surpasses any award or salary. They are indeed one of the world’s finest!”
A separate reaction read: “Stories like this show why the Mumbai Police are so respected. A single act of kindness can restore hope and bring smiles in the toughest times.”
According to a post shared by Mohini Maheshwari, the child had travelled with her parents from Solapur to Mumbai for her father’s treatment at St. George Hospital. On May 20, she went missing while playing near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), after which her parents contacted the authorities.
Mumbai Police initiated a large investigation that involved ten specialised teams. Officers examined hours of CCTV footage from locations including the Fort area, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and Bhusawal. The surveillance material indicated that she had boarded a train heading towards Varanasi.
In September, officers launched “Operation Shodh” in Varanasi with support from local police and railway personnel. Posters and banners were displayed across the city, and newspaper notices were placed to widen the search.
A decisive lead emerged when a journalist in Varanasi informed the team about a young girl at an orphanage who spoke Marathi. She had been found near Varanasi station months earlier and taken to the shelter after being abandoned. Once the team confirmed her identity, arrangements were made to bring her back to Mumbai.
She returned on November 14, travelling by air. The post described how police officers were waiting for her with balloons and a new frock, and how she immediately approached them when she saw them. One section of the narrative read: “Tiny legs pumping, arms outstretched, she threw herself at the nearest officer and laughed — the purest, clearest laugh that had been missing from the world for half a year. The officer, a tough man who had seen everything, felt his eyes burn. He lifted her high, and she wrapped her arms around his neck like he was family.”
Her parents were also present at the airport. The post continued: “The mother touched her face again and again, as if checking she was real. The father fell to his knees and pressed his forehead to his child’s tiny feet, sobbing words no one could understand except God.”
It concluded by highlighting the impact on the officers involved: “Somewhere in Mumbai, there are policemen who will never forget the weight of a four-year-old girl in their arms — the weight of an entire life returned. Sometimes the uniform doesn’t just catch thieves. Sometimes it carries lost children all the way back to their mothers’ hearts.”
As per reports, the individual responsible for abducting the girl has not yet been located.