A newborn has allegedly gone missing from the gynecology department of Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, with CCTV footage reportedly showing a veiled woman leaving the hospital while carrying the infant.
The family said the baby was born at the hospital the previous day. According to the child’s father, Hashmat Ali, female family members were asked to leave the labor room after the delivery. When they returned a short time later, the newborn was no longer there.
The father has demanded the immediate recovery of the baby and action against those responsible. He said a daily diary report was registered at the police post inside the hospital, but an FIR had not yet been registered.
The family also alleged that a nurse accused them of being responsible for the disappearance. Hashmat Ali rejected the allegation and called for a transparent investigation into the incident.
Police have obtained CCTV footage from different parts of the hospital. According to police officials, the footage allegedly shows a veiled woman leaving the labor room with the newborn at around 11pm and exiting the hospital through the Bolton Block gate.
Police said female members of the affected family identified the woman after viewing the CCTV footage. Authorities are continuing efforts to trace the woman, recover the newborn and gather additional evidence.
Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim said an internal inquiry is underway and police are also investigating the matter. He confirmed that the hospital had provided CCTV footage to police to help trace the woman.
However, the hospital spokesperson said the woman had been allowed to enter and leave the labor room with the parents’ consent. According to the hospital administration, the parents had informed staff that the woman was accompanying them and should be allowed access.
The circumstances surrounding the newborn’s disappearance remain under investigation.