Bhopal, May 4 -- Madhya Pradesh police rescued a two-year-old boy on Sunday in Raisen district after his father allegedly murdered his mother and abandoned him near a drain in a forest.

The accused, Rajendra Ahirwar, 25, of Hinotiya Pachori village, allegedly killed his wife on Saturday during a domestic dispute by crushing her head with a stone. He then fled with his son, leaving him near a drain in the Begumganj forest area.

The child was rescued 12 hours later, around 1.5km from the drain, which the police believe the boy covered on foot.

Sub-divisional officer of police (SDOP) Sonali Gupta said, "Information was received within the Haidargarh police station area. At 9pm, Haidargarh police alerted Begumganj police about the child's ...