Supreme Court Directs Union of India to Enhance Coordination in Missing Children Cases

Details of Nodal Officers to be Uploaded on Mission Vatsalya Portal for Efficient Response

In a significant move to address the pressing issue of missing children and child trafficking in India, the Supreme Court has directed the Union of India to enhance coordination among various stakeholders by ensuring the dissemination of details of designated Nodal Officers responsible for handling such cases across States and Union Territories. The directive comes as part of a writ petition titled "Guria Swayam Sevi Sansthan v. Union of India," presided over by Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan.

The court emphasized the importance of the Mission Vatsalya portal, an integrated platform under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, which aims to streamline efforts in tracing and recovering missing children. It provides a mechanism for citizens to report missing children and facilitates information sharing among fourteen key stakeholders, including Special Juvenile Police Units, Child Welfare Committees, and Juvenile Justice Boards.

During the hearing, the Additional Solicitor General highlighted the existence of the TrackChild and Khoya-Paya portals, which have been integrated into the Mission Vatsalya portal, thereby enhancing the government's capacity to track and manage cases of missing children. However, the court noted challenges in the effective dissemination of information to the relevant authorities and stakeholders.

To address these issues, the Supreme Court has instructed the Union of India to communicate with each State and Union Territory to appoint dedicated Nodal Officers responsible for missing children cases. The court specified that the details of these officers, including names, designations, and contact numbers, must be uploaded on the Mission Vatsalya portal. This measure is expected to enable prompt tracing, investigation, and action against perpetrators such as kidnappers.

The court further directed that upon receipt of any complaint regarding a missing child on the portal, information should be simultaneously disseminated to the Nodal Officers. This would facilitate immediate action, including tracing the child, investigating potential criminal activities, and registering further complaints if necessary.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has been tasked with requesting the necessary information from States and Union Territories, with assurances that these details will be uploaded to the portal once provided. The court expressed optimism that the designated Nodal Officers would establish a network across districts and zones to ensure comprehensive coverage and efficient information dissemination.

Acknowledging the complexities involved, the Supreme Court has adjourned the matter to November 18, 2025, to allow time for the Union of India and stakeholders to implement the directives and discuss any challenges. The court also encouraged online consultations among stakeholders to address issues related to the tracing and recovery of missing children and child trafficking.

This directive marks a crucial step towards strengthening the framework for addressing missing children cases in India, ensuring a coordinated and timely response from authorities across the nation.

Statutory provision(s):

• - Mission Vatsalya Portal under the Ministry of Women and Child Development
• - Involvement of stakeholders such as Special Juvenile Police Units, Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Boards, and Central Adoption Resource Authority

Guria Swayam Sevi Sansthan v. Union of India, (SC) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2794950