Nabarangpur, Oct 15: In a shocking incident from Motigaon village under Chandahandi police limits, a woman allegedly abandoned her two-year-old daughter on the roadside to elope with her lover.

The child was later rescued by villagers and handed over to the Child Welfare Department.

The woman, identified as Rudrika Tolatia, had reportedly fled with her lover Parmeswar Jagat two months ago, leaving behind her husband Jhasketan Nengi and their daughter. A missing complaint had been filed by Jhasaketan at Chandahandi police station.

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Rudrika returned to the village recently and claimed that Parmeswar had deceived her and taken her to Raipur. However, despite the earlier complaint, police did not attempt to reunite the child with her father or take custody of Rudrika.

Tensions escalated when Parmeswar’s first wife, Anita Jagat, filed a formal complaint against the duo. On October 8, police detained Rudrika and Parmeswar for two days, but their whereabouts became unclear afterward, raising questions among villagers about police procedures.

Late Tuesday night, around 10 PM, Rudrika and Parmeswar allegedly left the toddler near a shop in the village and disappeared. The shopkeeper discovered the child early in the morning and informed the villagers, who then transferred the child to the local Anganwadi centre.

Following instructions from IIC Jugal Kishor Sa, ASI Benudhar Majhi visited the scene. Villagers, frustrated by the lack of transparency, questioned Majhi about the handling of the case, especially since he was the DCO on duty during the initial detention.

The incident has sparked outrage in the community, with many demanding accountability from the police and justice for the abandoned child.