One of the biggest dreams for a woman is to become a mother but there are some women whose dream of becoming a mother doesn’t get fulfilled due to medical complications. While they have the option of adopting, a woman from Dhule opted to take an illegal path for becoming a mother. This woman was deceiving her family members by telling them that she is pregnant for the last 9 months but her lies came into light when she was arrested by police for stealing a new-born baby whom she was claiming as her own in front of her family members.
Here is the full account of the incident as Nashik police has arrested a 35 years old MBA graduate from Dhule for allegedly abducting a five days old baby from the civil hospital and attempting to pass the child off as her own. The accused, identified as Sapna Marathe, was taken into custody on Sunday after her brother and other family members raised doubts about her recent claims of giving birth.
According to officials, Sapna Marathe, who was recently selected for an accounting job in government organisation, has experienced two miscarriages in the past. Police revealed that she befriended the baby’s mother, Suman Abdul Khan, at the hospital, claiming she loved children and was there to support a relative undergoing treatment. Suman Khan, who had delivered her baby on December 29, 2024, and her husband began to trust Sapna as she frequently assisted in caring for the newborn.
On Saturday, while Suman Khan’s husband was busy completing discharge formalities, Sapna Marathe offered to carry the baby to its father as Suman packed belongings. Moments later, the couple realised that Sapna had disappeared with their child. They immediately alerted hospital authorities and Sarkarwada police. CCTV footage confirmed Sapna leaving the premises with the infant, prompting the police and crime branch to launch an extensive search operation.
Prashant Bachhav, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), stated that the Panchvati crime branch received a tip about a woman in Dindori who matched Sapna’s description and was carrying an infant. Acting swiftly, officers located the suspect and safely recovered the child.
Investigations revealed that Sapna’s inability to give birth to a child led her to steal the baby. She had developed a rapport with Suman Khan and another woman in the hospital who had also recently delivered a child. Sapna’s husband was reportedly unaware of her intentions.
Police are now recording statements from Sapna, her husband, father and brother as part of the ongoing investigation.
