Dharwad: Police in Karnataka’s Dharwad district have arrested a local man for allegedly abducting two students from a government school, following a swift investigation aided by CCTV footage and a fortuitous road accident that led to the children’s rescue.
The accused has been identified as Karim Mestri, a resident of Dharwad. The victims, Tanveer Dodmani and Lakshmi Kariyappanavar, both Class III students, went missing from the school premises after the lunch break. They were later found safe, with no physical injuries reported.
CCTV Leads and Rapid Police Action
The incident came to light when teachers noticed the children were missing after lunch. Initial searches by school staff and family members proved unsuccessful, prompting a review of CCTV footage from nearby areas. The footage revealed a man forcibly taking the children away on a motorcycle. Following a formal complaint by the parents, Dharwad police launched an immediate investigation, setting up checkpoints and intensifying patrols across district borders.
Accident Turns Rescuer
The accused was reportedly attempting to travel with the children from Dharwad towards neighbouring Uttara Kannada district. Near Dandeli, the motorcycle he was riding skidded and overturned, leaving Mestri seriously injured. Local residents, who noticed the presence of young children at the accident site, grew suspicious and alerted the Dandeli police.
Upon reaching the spot, police confirmed that the children matched the description of the missing students. While unharmed, the children were found to be in a state of severe distress.
Accused’s Statement Under Scrutiny
During questioning, the accused claimed he was taking the children to a festival at the Ulvi Chennabasaveshwara temple. However, police have stated that this explanation is not being accepted at face value. A case of abduction has been registered against him, and further investigation is underway. The injured accused is currently undergoing treatment at a government hospital.
The safe recovery of the children has brought relief to their families and school authorities. The incident has also sparked renewed discussions on strengthening security measures during school hours to prevent such occurrences in the future.
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