According to the police, Lalithamma, who hails from Raichur, was admitted to the hospital on September 5. She gave birth to the boy on Monday night. Both the baby and the mother were in good condition.

A woman, who was dressed in white apron, came to the ward at around 6.10 am. She told Lalithamma she wanted to take the baby to operation theatre as there was a scar on its face.

She promised to bring back the baby soon. Lalithamma believed her and gave her the baby, added the police.

However, the woman did not return even after an hour. Lalithamma who grew suspicious informed the matter to the nurses. It was then that the incident came to light. There were only a few people in the ward when the woman entered the ward.

The police are verifying the video footage captured by CCTV cameras.

Lalithamma and her husband, both construction workers, are residents of Chandra Layout. The police have launched a search operation to arrest the woman.