SC Asks Centre to Compile Nationwide Data to Detect Pattern in Missing Children Cases

The Supreme Court of India has raised serious concern over the scale of missing-children cases in the country and asked the Union government to determine whether the incidents reflect a nationwide trafficking network, state-specific gangs, or random disappearances . A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan has directed the Centre to compile six years of nationwide data from all states and Union Territories, stressing that only comprehensive and standardised information can reveal whether a clear pattern exists. The court described the issue as a serious national concern and asked directly whether the trend suggests organised criminal activity rather than isolated cases.

Available data shows the magnitude of the crisis. Estimates indicate around 96,000 children go missing every year in India , while government figures reveal that about 3 lakh (300,000) children have been reported missing since 2020 , with nearly 36,000 still untraced . Recovery rates differ across states, with some datasets suggesting 60–90% of children are eventually traced , but the remaining unresolved cases run into tens of thousands . In Delhi , records over the past decade show over 5,500 children reported missing , with hundreds yet to be found. Karnataka logged 9,639 missing children cases between January 2023 and November 2025 , with girls accounting for around 72% of those cases, underlining a worrying gender skew.

Certain patterns emerging from various datasets have drawn attention. Girls form a disproportionately high share of missing children in many regions, raising concerns about sexual exploitation, forced marriage, child labour, or illegal adoption channels . Multi-year compilations frequently show higher numbers in states such as Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka , though socio-economic factors and reporting practices may also play a role. Petitions before the court have highlighted cases in which children were allegedly trafficked from Uttar Pradesh to states like Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan through middlemen networks, suggesting possible interstate trafficking routes. At the same time, a large number of children remain untraced for years, pointing to investigative gaps and weak coordination between police forces.

The Supreme Court has suggested interviewing rescued children to identify those responsible and uncover linkages. It has criticised states that failed to furnish complete data and warned of harsh orders if non-compliance continues. The bench earlier noted media reports claiming a child goes missing every eight minutes , calling the figure alarming and in need of official verification. It also stressed that missing-children cases should be handled urgently, given possible links to trafficking and illegal adoption networks.

India operates digital tracking systems such as the TrackChild Portal , integrated with child-welfare efforts under Mission Vatsalya , to log and trace missing and found children. The court has directed the appointment of nodal officers in every state and Union Territory , along with a dedicated officer in the Union Home Ministry to ensure national coordination and timely data uploads. However, inconsistent reporting practices, delays in FIR registration, and uneven use of digital tools continue to limit the effectiveness of these systems.

By demanding consolidated national data, the Supreme Court has shifted the focus from handling cases individually to examining broader trends. If the six-year dataset reveals consistent routes, demographic targeting, or recurring criminal links, missing-children cases may increasingly be treated as organised crime investigations requiring centralised intelligence and inter-state coordination. Until then, the court’s core question remains whether India is witnessing scattered tragedies or the footprint of hidden trafficking networks operating across states.