SC demands answers: Is organized network behind India's missing children?
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) : Considering the continuing incidents of children going missing in India as serious, the Supreme Court has asked the central government to investigate whether there is a nationwide, organized network operating behind this, or whether the problem is limited to a few states. The court clarified that it is important to determine whether there is a common pattern in these incidents or whether they are isolated and unrelated cases.
A bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan directed the central government to collect and analyze detailed data on missing children from all states. The bench noted that a recent increase in such incidents cannot be ignored.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the central government, stated that some states have provided data on missing children and the current status of cases, but information from about a dozen states remains awaited. He added that concrete conclusions can only be reached after receiving complete data.
The bench stated that it wanted to determine whether there was an organized network behind the cases of child abductions and disappearances, or whether these were isolated incidents unrelated. The court also suggested that children who were safely recovered after being abducted be interviewed to identify the methods of crime and the individuals involved.
The Supreme Court also expressed displeasure with states that have not yet shared the required information. The bench indicated that stricter orders may be issued if necessary. The central government assured the court that the process of collecting data from all states has been initiated.
It is worth noting that a petition in this matter was filed by an NGO. Earlier, on December 9, the Supreme Court directed the central government to compile complete data on missing children across the country over the past six years. The court also ordered the Home Ministry to make this information public on the website of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
It is noteworthy that a report released on November 18th claimed that a child goes missing every eight minutes in the country. Taking this report seriously, the Supreme Court stated that given the sensitivity of the issue, the government must develop an effective mechanism to effectively prevent such incidents of child disappearances.