On Wednesday, the Supreme Court stepped in to address growing concerns over missing children in the country, asking the Centre to create a dedicated online portal under the home ministry to trace and investigate such cases. The Bench highlighted serious gaps in coordination among police authorities across states and union territories.
The Court suggested that each state appoint a dedicated officer to handle complaints and disseminate information efficiently. It stressed the need for a coordinated, nationwide effort to tackle the issue of missing children.
The petition, filed by NGO Guria Swayam Sevi Sansthan, cited unresolved cases of kidnapped or missing children and referred to data from the government’s “Khoya/Paya portal.” It highlighted five cases from Uttar Pradesh last year, where minors were allegedly kidnapped and trafficked through middlemen to states including Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
The Court directed the Centre to implement the portal and asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to seek instructions on the matter. The Bench emphasized appointing state-level officers and ensuring proper coordination among authorities to effectively track and investigate missing children.
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