Delhi High Court Orders Immediate Inquiry in Missing Child Cases

The Delhi High Court has mandated the Delhi Police to commence inquiries immediately after a missing child case is reported, eliminating the 24-hour waiting period. The court highlighted the importance of prompt action and directed adherence to an SOP from the Ministry of Women and Child Development for missing children cases, emphasizing the urgency of the first 24 hours.

In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has instructed the Delhi Police to ensure that investigations into missing child cases begin immediately upon reporting, removing the existing 24-hour waiting period.

The court highlighted that the 24-hour delay often stems from assumptions that children may have gone with friends or relatives and would return home shortly. However, this delay could result in children being taken out of the court's jurisdiction or encountering harm.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has outlined a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for such cases, mandating that an FIR be registered promptly for trafficking or abduction when a child is reported missing. The court emphasized that action within the first 24 hours is crucial for effectively tracing a missing child.

Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma urged the Delhi Police Commissioner to direct all police stations to eliminate the waiting period and start inquiries immediately upon receiving complaints.

This directive came in response to a plea by a father whose minor daughter went missing on February 19. Despite approaching the police on the same day, he was told to return the next day. The delay in registering an FIR and initiating a proper investigation led the father to seek the court’s intervention.

The court noted that the initial waiting period significantly delayed efforts to trace the girl, pointing to a wider issue in missing children cases. Additionally, the Delhi government’s standing counsel Sanjay Lao informed the court about a revised standing order for police duties regarding missing persons.

The High Court has now transferred the case to the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (Crime Branch) of the Delhi Police, with strict instructions for immediate and thorough investigation.