Anand Mahindra Praises Mumbai Police for Heartwarming Rescue

Industrialist Anand Mahindra has praised the Mumbai Police for their relentless pursuit that led to the reunion of a four-year-old girl with her family after nearly six months. Aarohi, who had been missing since May, was found in Varanasi in November, bringing an emotional end to a case that officers had refused to give up on.

Aarohi disappeared on the night of May 20, 2025, after she fell asleep on her mother’s lap at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Her mother, exhausted, closed her eyes briefly, only to wake and discover that her daughter had vanished. The disappearance sparked an intense search across the city and beyond. Several officers reportedly carried her photograph in their pockets, determined not to let the case go cold. They printed posters with Aarohi’s face, stuck them on every platform from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Bhusawal to Varanasi Cantt.

In June, a young girl was found crying and barefoot near railway tracks and was taken to a local orphanage. Given food, shelter, and a new name, she adjusted quickly but often clutched her blanket at night and murmured “Aai”—Marathi for “mother”—a word that went misunderstood by those caring for her.

The breakthrough came on November 13, when a local reporter in Varanasi noticed a missing-child poster and recalled seeing a girl at an orphanage who muttered Marathi words in her sleep. He alerted the authorities, setting the final stage for the child’s identification.

The following morning, a Mumbai Police inspector travelled to Varanasi and confirmed the child’s identity via a video call. In Mumbai, as the little girl appeared on the screen wearing a pink frock — the same colour as the day she disappeared — her mother collapsed in tears. Her father, overwhelmed, kept repeating, “That’s my Aarohi… that’s my baby.”

Mahindra shared the story on social media, praising the Mumbai Police for their persistence. His message drew thousands of reactions from users who echoed his admiration.

“This is the best news in a long time. Thank you to @MumbaiPolice and all involved. There is no greater service to a parent and child than this,” one user wrote.

Another added, “Mumbai Police proved that a uniform is not just about rules, but also about trust and courage. Aarohi’s smile carries the power to rise above every challenge. This is the true victory of humanity.”

The emotional reunion has been widely celebrated as a testament to dedication, compassion, and the power of community vigilance.