Mysore :  In a heart-rending incident, a 20-day old infant, allegedly kidnapped last night by a few miscreants from its mother on Ashoka road here, was found dead in V C canal this morning near Siddalingapura on Mysore-Bangalore Road.

Firoze, an autorickshaw driver from Shanthingar along with his wife Sumaya Khanum and their infant daughter Zia Zoya Khanum, were said to have come to a jeweller’s shop on Ashoka Road to pledge some jewels at about 8 pm yesterday.

Sumaya reportedly came out of the shop with the infant in her arms when a few miscreants were said to have come in a Maruti van, snatched the infant and sped away. Firoze, who came out of the shop, was informed about the kidnap by his wife and the two lodged a complaint with Mandi Police.

Today at about 9.30 am passess-by were said to have found the body of an infant in Virija canal and informed the Police. Following this, Mandi Police Sub-Inspector Shabbir Hussain and staff reached the spot along with Firoze couple and the latter identified the baby as theirs.

The infant was rushed to Cheluvamba Hospital but the doctors declared the child brought dead. Mandi Police have registered a case and are investigating.