An activist in Ludhiana has filed complaints with multiple authorities demanding a high-level probe after Right to Information (RTI) data showed that 506 children have gone missing and 62 have been kidnapped in the city since 2020. According to the RTI reply obtained from the police, 294 missing and 58 abducted children have been rescued, leaving 212 missing and four kidnapped children still untraced.
Complaints Filed with Multiple Bodies
RTI activist Rohit Sabharwal submitted complaints to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in New Delhi, the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC), the Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab, and the Commissioner of Police in Ludhiana. Sabharwal alleged that an advisory issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is not being implemented by the local police.
Alleged Non-Compliance with MHA Advisory
The MHA advisory states that each police station should have at least one officer trained and designated as a Juvenile Welfare Officer (JWO). Sabharwal claimed that this directive has been ignored, which may have contributed to the slow progress in tracing missing children. He urged the authorities to investigate why the advisory was not followed and to ensure immediate compliance to prevent further cases.
Details from RTI Data
The RTI reply, shared by the police's RTI Cell, revealed the following breakdown: from 2020 onward, 506 children were reported missing, of which 294 have been rescued. Simultaneously, 62 children were abducted, with 58 rescued. The remaining 212 missing and four kidnapped children are yet to be found. The data underscores a significant gap in recovery efforts, prompting the activist to call for a high-level inquiry to identify systemic failures and improve child protection mechanisms.
Activist's Statement
In his complaints, Sabharwal stated, "The MHA advisory is clear and mandatory, yet the Ludhiana police have failed to appoint Juvenile Welfare Officers in every station. This negligence has directly impacted the safety of children. I demand a thorough investigation into the implementation of this advisory and the overall handling of missing children cases." He has requested that the NCPCR and PSHRC monitor the inquiry and ensure accountability.
Impact and Next Steps
The activist's move has drawn attention to the broader issue of child safety in Ludhiana. With over 200 children still missing, the complaints seek to pressure authorities into action. The police have not yet issued a response to the allegations. The NCPCR and PSHRC are expected to review the complaints and may summon officials for explanation. Sabharwal has also urged citizens to report any suspicious activity related to missing children and to support efforts to trace the untraced minors.
