New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to examine whether incidents of children going missing across the country are linked to a nationwide network or confined to state-specific groups. The court stressed the need to determine whether these cases follow a pattern or are isolated and random in nature.
A Bench comprising Justices B V Nagrathna and Ujjal Bhuyan directed the Union government to compile comprehensive data from all states and Union Territories to enable a detailed analysis. The court noted that without complete information, it would be difficult to assess the scale and structure behind such incidents.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, informed the Bench that several states have already submitted data related to missing children and subsequent prosecutions. However, she said around a dozen states are yet to provide the required information. She added that meaningful conclusions can be drawn only after receiving complete data from all regions.
The Bench expressed concern over the delay and said it wanted clarity on whether there is an organised network operating across states or if the cases are being handled in isolation. The judges also suggested that rescued children should be interviewed to identify those responsible for such incidents.
The court was critical of states that have failed to submit data and warned that strict directions could be issued if the delay continues. Senior advocate Aparna Bhatt, assisting the court, said the Centre has taken steps in the matter and urged the court to direct all states to comply promptly.
The observations came while hearing a public interest litigation filed by NGO Guria Swayam Sevi Sansthan, which flagged the growing number of children who remain untraced in several states. The petition highlighted gaps in coordination and follow-up in cases of missing and kidnapped children.
Earlier, on December 9, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to submit six years of nationwide data on missing children and to appoint a dedicated officer in the Union Home Ministry to ensure coordination with states and Union Territories. The court had also asked states to appoint nodal officers to oversee such cases and ensure timely uploading of information on the government portal.
The court has previously expressed serious concern over reports suggesting that a child goes missing in India every eight minutes. It has also noted that complexities in the adoption process may encourage illegal practices and has urged the Centre to streamline existing mechanisms.
The NGO, in its plea, cited several cases from Uttar Pradesh where minors were allegedly kidnapped and trafficked through organised networks to other states, underlining the need for a coordinated national response.
