Her infant abducted from the gynaecology ward of the SMGS Hospital here, and police have taken her brother for questioning in the matter. Her uncle, with whom she lived at Bhatindi after coming from Kashmir, has also moved, fearing police.

While the hospital authorities claim they know nothing about the infant's abduction, police accuse the woman of giving the infant to someone. However, a case registered in the City Police Station under Section 361 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) shows the infant was taken by someone from the lawful custody of his guardians.

Sources said Hajra Bibi, of Zamalgam (Doru) in Anantnag district, gave birth to a boy on January 19. She was subsequently shifted to the recovery ward.Two women, along with aman, visited her in the ward and expressed their desire to adopt the infant the next day. Hajra and her brother, Abdul Rashid, refused but the trio persisted, resting their case on Hajra Bibi's poverty and the death of her husband.

Gundu, Hajra Bibi's neighbour at Bhatindi, said two unidentified women, accompanied by a man, had also subsequently visited Bashir at his residence in a three-wheeler. The man had even fallen at Bashir's feet and begged for the child but he had refused.

While Gundu could not say why the trio wanted to adopt the child, another neighbour said a relative of the trio had given birth to a dead child and wanted to replace the deceased with Hajra Bibi's child.

Sources said the trio visited Hajra Bibi, her brother and uncle in the hospital at least three times but failed to persuade them to give them the baby. Finally, on January 24, when Rashid had gone to bring tea and Hajra was alone in the ward, the two women visited her saying her brother had sent them to bring the baby.

Thewomen assured her they would return soon, and Hajra allowed them to take the baby. However, when Rashid returned, Hajra enquired about the child and narrated the story. A shocked Rashid frantically looked for the women in other wards and the matter was brought to notice of the hospital authorities who, in turn, informed the police.

Sources said the two women and the man accompanying them were introduced to Hajra and her relatives by an orderly in the ward. Thereafter, they started visiting them time and again. However, instead of questioning the orderly, the police took into custody Hajra's brother, Rashid, on the pretext that they had themselves given the child to someone.

Head, Gynaecology Department, Dr Kamlesh Manhas said the incident had occurred in Unit-II and only the concerned doctor was in the know. Dr Chanchal Gupta, incharge of Unit-II, however, expressed ignorance about the incident, saying the hospital's Medical Superintendent knew the details. The latter, however, was not available forcomment.

While Hajra continues to wail for her baby, her brother Rashid remains in police custody. ``They have themselves given the child to someone else,'' the station house officer (SHO) of the city police station said. Chaman Lal, ASI, who had been investigating the case, supported the SHO's version but said, ``I am yet to find some clinching evidence to substantiate it''.