SC Expresses Concern Over Missing Children Crisis

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court raised serious concerns on Tuesday over reports stating that a child goes missing every eight minutes in India, calling the issue "serious" and in need of urgent attention.

A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan discussed the matter following a news report that highlighted the alarming statistics on missing children. Justice Nagarathna remarked, “I have read in a newspaper that every eight minutes, a child goes missing in the country. I don’t know if this is true or not. But this is a serious issue,” underscoring the gravity of the problem.

The court also pointed out the complicated adoption process in the country, suggesting that the Centre should take steps to streamline and simplify the procedure. The bench stressed the need for a more efficient system to ensure the welfare and safety of children, especially given the high number of reported missing cases.

The remarks come amid growing concern about the safety of children across the country, with calls for more robust systems and policies to address the root causes of child abductions and trafficking. The court's intervention highlights the urgent need for national reforms in child protection and adoption mechanisms.