MUMBAI, June 15: An 18-month-old girl child was allegedly kidnapped from a residential colony in Khar on Friday. The police have launched a massive manhunt for the culprit.

The distressed mother, Kavita, is seen in an isolated corner of Khar police station sitting with her head sunk between the knees waiting for some news about her lost daughter. Traumatised by her loss, she frequently enquires with the officers about the progress in the case.

Sonia was last seen with her nephew Joseph (Jojo) Miranda at their Gulab Nagar residence at 5 pm on Friday. Joseph, a native of Karwar district in Karnataka, had been visiting her often and recently came to stay with the family since June 11, the mother said.

Kavita, who has been staying with a childless couple for the last four years, went to work as usual on Friday morning leaving the child at home. On her return in the evening she found the girl missing. The neighbours informed her that Joseph took the child out.

``There was no reason to suspect Joseph as he was very fond of Sonia and used to take her out whenever he was in the city. At first I thought he must have gone to see a film, but when he did not return late at night I got worried,''Kavita told Express Newsline, ``I do not know what the child must have gone through in the last 48 hours,'' she added.

Investigating officer inspector Vilas Pawar suspected that the relatives could be involved in the abduction. Though Joseph was a frequent visitor, this time he was accompanied by another woman from their native village in Karnataka, Pawar added.

The police are exploring the possibility that Joseph and the women must have taken the infant to pose as a married couple and gain easy entry in one of the city hotels. The duo were staying in a cramped house and could have sought a little privacy, said Pawar.

However, what added to the suspense was that Joseph has for long been planning to go abroad with his lady companion, the prime purpose of his recent visit to the city. Pawar did not ruled the possibility that they could have already left for some foreign destination.

However, Kavita is sceptical. ``I am sure my nephew cannot go that far. He cannot be so cruel to me and the innocent child,'' she told this reporter. The police is combing hotels in the area and checking with travel agents for clues.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.