Duo found roaming in Kovai government hospital suspected to be baby lifters, thrashed

The two men were identified as Karthik (25) and Andrews (27), who were found roaming around in a suspicious manner at the neo-natal ward, located on the third floor of one of the hospital buildings during the morning hours. 

On suspicion, people nearby questioned the two about their whereabouts. However, as the duo gave in-coherent replies, they were thrashed by the public, who suspected them to be baby lifters. Thereafter, the Race Course police was informed about the incident.

Inquiries by the police revealed that the two men were drug addicts and also appeared to be in a mentally disturbed state. 

They have been taken into custody for enquiry by the Race Course police.

It may be recalled that a north Indian youth was lynched by an angry mob of villagers on the suspicion of being a child lifter in Krishnagiri district in May.

At least five persons, including a man with psychiatric problems near Pulicat in Chennai, a 65-year-old woman and another teenager in Tiruvannamalai, and a middle-aged man in Kancheepuram, were all killed in mob lynchings in the last few months on suspicion of being child lifters. 

More than 5,000 people visit the CMCH on a daily basis and incidents of vehicle thefts and valuables of persons attending the patients going missing have become common in the hospital.