SRI. MAHESH vs STATE OF KARNATAKA
- Court
- Karnataka High Court
- Decided on
- 10-02-2026
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®
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
TH
DATED THIS THE 10 DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ
WRIT PETITION NO. 30006 OF 2024 (GM-POLICE)
BETWEEN:
SRI. MAHESH
S/O. LATE SRI. MAARA
AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS
RESIDING AT NO. 168
KANAKANAGAR, MARENAHALLI
VIJAYANAGAR, BANGALORE – 560 040
…PETITIONER
(BY SRI. PURUSHOTHAMA N.,ADVOCATE)
AND:
1. STATE OF KARNATAKA
REPRESENTED BY THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
HOME DEPARTMENT, VIDHAN SOUDHA,
BANGALORE - 560001
2. THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
NO.2, ALI ASKER ROAD
BANGALORE – 560 001
3. THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
BANGALORE WEST DIVISION
BANGALORE – 560 053
4. THE STATION IN CHARGE/SHO,
ANNAPOORNESHWARI POLICE STATION
BANGALORE-560 091
…RESPONDENTS
(BY SMT.K.P.YASHODHA, AGA)
Digitally signed by
VARSHA N
RASALKAR
Location: HIGH
COURT OF
KARNATAKA
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THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227
OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TOQUASHING THE
IMPUGNED MEMORANDUM DTD 01.04.2022(ANNX-D) BEARING
NO.CRM/MISSING/08/DCP(W)/2022 ISSUED BY THE R3 AS BEING
UNSUSTAINABLE, ARBITRARY, ILLEGAL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR FURTHER HEARING, THIS
DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ
ORAL ORDER
1. The Petitioner is before this Court seeking for the
following reliefs:
“i. Issue a writ of Certiorari quashing the impugned
Memorandum dated 01-04-2022 bearing No.
CRM/Missing/08/DCP(W)/2022 (Annexure D) issued
by the Respondent No. 3 as being unsustainable,
arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional;
ii. Issue a writ of Mandamus directing the
Respondents to conduct a detailed investigation
with due diligence pursuant to the complaint filed by
the Petitioner regarding the "missing" status of Mr.
Kumar, and thereafter file an appropriate status
report about the whereabouts of Mr. Kumar and
developments in the investigation process; and
iii. Pass such other order / orders as this Hon'ble
Court may deem fit in the facts and circumstances
of the case, including as to costs, in the interest of
justice and equity.”
2. The grievance of the petitioner is that one Mr.Kumar,
who is the cousin of the petitioner, had gone missing,
in furtherance of which a complaint had been
submitted and an FIR was registered on 15.06.2020.
Thereafter, no progress having been made. In May
2024, it was informed to the petitioner that the FIR
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registered by the petitioner has been listed as
dormant. And as such, no further investigation has
been done. It is in that background that the
petitioner had approached this Court seeking for the
aforesaid relief.
3. After having heard the learned counsel for the
petitioner and the learned AGA, this Court, vide its
order dated 27.10.2025, called upon learned AGA to
make her submission as to how an FIR has been
labelled dormant when the missing person was still
to be found. Thereafter, on 03.12.2025, it came to
light that there are larger systemic issues and
concerns in respect of the rising incidence of missing
persons complaints and the adequacy of the
response on the part of the State. It is in that view of
the matter that on 03.12.2025, this Court passed the
following order:
“ORAL ORDER
1. Learned AGA seeks for and is granted a week’s
time to file objections as regards the investigation
which has been carried out.
2. Before proceeding to consider the specific
grievance placed before this Court, it becomes
imperative to address the larger systemic concern
repeatedly brought to the attention of this Court,
namely, the rising incidence of missing-person
complaints and the adequacy of the State’s
institutional response. Missing-person cases,
particularly those involving women and children,
require the State to discharge an affirmative, non-
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delegable obligation to ensure not merely
registration of complaints but also a prompt,
structured, and scientifically sound investigative
response.
3. Upon receipt of information disclosing the
commission of a cognisable offence, including
kidnapping, trafficking, abduction, or any
circumstance indicative of criminality, the police
are duty-bound to register a First Information
Report forthwith. Missing-person complaints
concerning women and children frequently disclose,
or at the least strongly suggest, cognisable
offences warranting immediate registration of an
FIR. The absence of systematic data or inconsistent
categorisation of missing-person cases makes it
difficult for courts to evaluate whether such
obligations have been discharged.
4. Every missing child must also be treated as a child
in need of care and protection, and as such, the
police must register an FIR without delay. Police
are required to maintain and publish proper
records, develop standard operating procedures,
and ensure that missing-children cases are handled
with utmost sensitivity and urgency. The present
matter reveals that such a uniform,
comprehensive, and transparent data-management
system is still wanting, thereby impeding judicial
oversight and hindering the formulation of policy
responses in accordance with constitutional and
statutory mandates.
5. Complaints relating to the disappearance of minors
have to receive immediate attention, and effective
coordination between agencies must be
institutionalised rather than ad hoc. Transparency
in data is foundational to accountability in action.
6. It is also significant to note that missing-person
complaints cannot be treated as mere entries in
police registers, for they often serve as early
indicators of deeper criminal patterns, including
trafficking networks, forced labour, sexual
exploitation, or organised abduction, missing
children may be victims of organised criminal
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activity, and that the State must proactively trace
them using all available technological and forensic
tools.
7. I’am therefore of the firm view that without a
complete, structured, and verifiable dataset, it is
not possible to assess the State’s compliance with
its constitutional and statutory duties, nor to
determine whether systemic shortcomings warrant
remedial directions. Accordingly, detailed statistical
information for the last five years (2020–2025)
must be placed on record in a tabulated format to
permit clarity, transparency, and effective judicial
scrutiny.
8. Learned Additional Government Advocate is hereby
directed to place on record comprehensive,
complete, and duly verified statistics pertaining to
all missing-person complaints for the period
01.01.2020 to 31.12.2025. The said data shall be
structured in the following manner:
8.1. The total number of missing-person
complaints registered each year shall be
categorised separately as regards men,
women, and children, thereby enabling the
Court to ascertain gender and demographic
specific trends.
8.2. Insofar as missing children are concerned,
the data shall be further sub-categorised into
male and female children and, wherever
such information exists, stratified by age
groups or age bands (such as 0–5, 6–12,
13–17), so that patterns of disappearance
among vulnerable age groups may be clearly
identified.
8.3. The number of complaints in which action
has been initiated by the jurisdictional police
shall be indicated, including registration of
FIRs, search operations, issuance of alerts,
referrals to specialised units, or other
investigative steps.
8.4. The number of persons traced or recovered
shall be set out year-wise and category-wise,
together with the number of individuals who
remain untraced as of the date of filing, thus
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enabling evaluation of the efficacy of the
tracing mechanisms in place.
8.5. Any other data or material maintained by the
State or its agencies in relation to missing
persons shall be included, which may
encompass the functioning of Missing-Person
Desks, inter-district and inter-State
coordination undertaken, utilisation of
forensic and digital tools, and any systemic
obstacles identified.
9. Re-list on 16.12.2025 at 2.30 P.M. for further
hearing.
10. Registry is directed to furnish the copy of this order
to the learned AGA.”
4. In pursuance of the said order, the State filed a
report on the total number of missing persons under
cover of Letter dated 06.01.2026, which reads as
under:
“Government of Karnataka
(Police Department)
No: CRM-2/256/WP/2025 Office of the
Director General and
Inspector General of Police,
Karnataka State, Bengaluru
Dated: 06-01-2026
To,
The Advocate General,
Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka,
Bengaluru.
Sir,
Sub: Submission of Compliance Report in W.P. No. 30006/2024
(GM-Police) pending before the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka,
Bengaluru, in the case of Mahesh v/s State of Karnataka
& Others.
Ref: Letter received from the Office of the Advocate General,
Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru, dated 08-12-2025.
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With reference to the subject and reference cited above, it is
submitted that the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru, in its
daily order dated 03-12 2025 in Writ Petition No. 30006/2024 (GM-
Police), directed the State to furnish details of missing person
complaints registered in all Police Stations across Karnataka, indicating
the number of cases traced and those pending during the la five years,
i.e., from 2020 to 2025.
In compliance with the above directions, the required information
has be collected from the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) and is
enclosed here for kind perusal. The details are furnished as under:
Annexure-A: Man Missing Cases
Annexure-B: Women Missing Cases
Annexure-C: Children Missing Cases
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(P. Harishekaran. IPS)
for Director General and
Inspector General of Police
Abstract related to Missing Cases
(Annexure-A)
Year Reported Men Missing Cases
Reported Traced Untraced
2020 4273 3526 747
2021 5057 4254 803
2022 6467 5363 1104
2023 7394 6304 1090
2024 7990 6785 1205
2025
(30.11.2025)
6892 5371 1521
Total 38073 31603 6470
(Annexure-B)
Year Reported Women Missing Cases
Reported Traced Untraced
2020 8948 8713 235
2021 10081 9830 251
2022 11214 10930 284
2023 13392 13086 306
2024 14272 13903 369
2025
(30.11.2025)
13792 12256 1536
Total 71699 68718 2981
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Reported Boys/Girls Missing Cases (Annexure-C)
Year Age Reported Boys Missing Reported Girls Missing
Wise Cases Cases
Reported Traced Untraced Reported Traced Untraced
2020 0-5 years 13 11 02 16 10 06
6-12 71 66 05 30 28 02
years
13-17 381 368 13 1114 1089 25
years
Total 465 445 20 1160 1127 33
2021 0-5 years 04 04 00 09 05 04
6-12 87 81 06 39 38 01
years
13-17 456 433 23 1612 1578 34
years
Total 547 518 29 1660 1621 39
2022 0-5 years 16 12 04 12 10 02
6-12 92 85 07 71 70 01
years
13-17 700 678 22 1803 1762 41
years
Total 808 775 33 1886 1842 44
2023 0-5 years 17 17 00 19 17 02
6-12 124 117 07 70 68 02
years
13-17 840 807 33 2097 2061 36
years
Total 981 941 40 2186 2146 40
2024 0-5 years 15 12 03 17 14 03
6-12 144 131 13 68 63 05
years
13-17 906 877 29 2396 2305 91
years
Total 1065 1020 45 24811 2382 99
2025 0-5 years 13 08 05 10 06 04
6-12 100 78 22 78 60 18
years
13-17 885 693 192 2411 1729 682
years
Total 998 79 219 2499 1795 704
5. A perusal of the said report indicates that for the last
5 years, missing complaint cases were filed in
respect of 38,073 men, out of which 31,603 were
traced, leaving a balance of 6,470 untraced. Insofar as
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women and children are concerned, the numbers
were even larger inasmuch as 71,699 women and
children were reported to have been missing, out of
which 68,718 were traced, leaving a balance of
2,981.
6. The above report also indicates that the age-wise
breakup of the children who were missing and has
found that more numbers of girl children in the age
group of 13 to 17 were missing and more of those
girls were not traceable.
7. It is in that background that this Court once again
called upon the learned AGA to secure instructions as
to the nature of the investigation which would be
done.
8. The learned Advocate General also appeared in the
matter on 19.01.2026 and submitted that necessary
level
steps would be taken at the highest to address
this issue.
9. Today, a memo along with a circular dated
21.01.2026 along with certain documents, has been
filed. The circular dated 21.01.2026 provides for the
establishment of a District/Division Missing Persons
Units and Missing Persons Squads. A Standing Order
No.1054 has been issued on 29.01.2026, which deals
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with a procedure to be followed on receipt of
information about missing children/persons. The said
standing order reads as under:
“
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: 29/01/2026.
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Government of Karnataka
(Police Department)
No: CRM-2/11/WP/2025Office of the
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Director General and
Inspector General of Police,
Nrupatunga Road,
Bengalur u -Dated:21-01-2026
Standing Order No: 1054
Sub:- Standard operating procedures relating to
registration, Investigation and enquiry of
persons missing cases.
Ref:-1.The DG&IGP office Circular No. CRM/7/SMS-1/06,
Dated21.04.2016.
2. The DG&IGP office Circular No. CRM/160/
.
Misc-1/2007, Dated17.12.2007
3. The DG&IGP office Circular No. 27/CRM/
SMS-1/2012, Dated:27.09.2012.
4. The DG&IGP o ff ice Circular No. CRM-2/3/2013,
Dated 12.09.2013.
5. The DG&IGP office Circular No. CRM-2/3/WP/2013,
Dated 19.08.2014.
6. The DG&IGP Office Crime Section Circular-3/2015
No. CRM-2/3/2013, Dated 02.06.2015
7.The DG&IGP office Crime Section Circular-15/2015
No. CRM-2/37/WP/2015, Dated 25.11.2015.
8.The DG&IGP office Crime Section Circular-14/2015
No. CRM-6/50/SMS/2015, Dated 25.11.2015.
9. The DG&IGP office Standing Order No. 1016, No.
CRM-6/SMS/43/2017, Dated 05.04.2017.
10. The DG&IGP office Circular No. CRM-
6/53/SMS/2018,Dated 29.09.2018.
11. The DG&IGP office Standard Operating
Procedure No. CRM-2/224/WP/2018,
Dated 16.09.2020.
12. The DG&IGP Office Circular No. CRM-2/11/WP/2025,
Dated 11.10.2025.
13. Delhi Police Standing Order No. 252/2019 No.
751-900/Record Branch/PHQ dated, Delhi, the
18.07.2019.
14. Daily order dated: 12/09/2025 in Ramakrishna S/o
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Subray Bhat Vs The Director General of Police,
WPHC No:100012/2024
PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED ON RECEIPT OF INFORMATION
ABOUT MISSING CHILDREN/PERSONS
I.
The Office of Director General of Police and Inspector General of
Police, Karnataka has been issuing circulars, Standard operating
procedures relating to registration, investigation or enquiry of
missing persons and children (vide Ref. No. 1 to 12.) By such
circulars and SOPs, the police officers of the State are being
instructed properly to take immediate actions and steps to trace
missing persons and children and ensure safety and security
among society. The Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka by its order
passed in Ramakrishna S/o Subray Bhat Vs the Director General
of Police, Case No. WPHC 100012/2024 dated: 12/09/2025, this
standing order is issued by consolidating earlier circulars and
SOPs. Hence the Police officers of the State shall adopt and take
steps immediate actions relating to registration, Investigation
and enquiry of missing persons and children and tracing them
swiftly.
1. Definitions: For the purpose of this Standing Order the following
terms are defined as under-
a) "Missing Person" may be one who is lost or left home on
his/her own without a notice of the family members or
custodian.
b) Child means a person, who is under the age of 18 years
c) A 'missing child' means as defined under Rule 92 (1) of the
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules
2016, one "a child whose whereabouts are not known to the
parents, legal guardian or any other person or institution legally
entrusted with the custody of the child, whatever may be the
circumstances or causes of disappearance, and shall be
considered missing and in need of care and protection until
located or his safety and well-being established." Further it
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includes the child who is lost (separated from family), has left
home on his/her own without a notice or has been abducted or
kidnapped or trafficked or abandoned.
d) A "Traced Child" will be a child who is traced by the police on
the basis of a missing child report/FIR.
e) A found child is a child found by the Police on the streetsin a
market place at railway platforms/ at sub stops/ in trains/at a
port a/on a bus or other public transport/in a hospital/ during
rescue operations or at any public place and/or is brought
before/referred to the Police by Juvenile Justice Board
("JJB")/Child Welfare Committees (CWC)/Child-line/any other
NGO or any individual .
II.
Keeping in view the sensitivity of such cases, the Officer in
charge of Police Station should be the first contact point for all
such complainants so as to ensure a prompt and empathetic
handling. For that purpose, a Public Facilitation Desk in thepolice
station will attend to such complaints around the clock.
All Unit heads will ensure that the Public Facilitation Desk of the
Police Station is entrusted with the receiving all complaints
relating to missing children/persons. The officer in charge the
Police Station along with nonunated Juvenile Welfare Officers
will invariably be activated as and when any complaim relating
to missing of child is received.
III. SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
1. Directly by complainant by visiting PoliceStation.
2. Through Police Control Room (number 112)
3. Missing children/ persons helpline or any other helpline
number
4. Through FAX/E-mail/SMS/Whatsapp or other social media
platforms
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IV. STEPS TO BE TAKEN ON RECEIPT OF INFORMATION:
(a) INFORMATION RECEIVED DIRECTLY FROM COMPLAINANT IN
POLICE STATION OR THROUGH PCR:
In the case of information received directly from the
complainant who visits Police Station or through PCR (dial 112),
immediate steps as detailed at para V of this SOP shall be
followed by staff of concerned Police Station.
(b) INFORMATION RECEIVED ON MISSING
CHILDREN/PERSONSHELP LINE
In addition to 112 ERSS Help Line, 24x7 Child helpline number
1098 is also functional to report the missing of children/persons
in the State.
All possible assistance is being provided to the
complainant/caller in getting his missing report/FIR recorded at
the police station concerned, where missing occurred. The staff
deployed at the helpline shall perform the following duties on
receipt of information:
1. Obtain the full description of missing children/person along
withcomplainant's contact number and address.
2. Advise the caller to give full details of missing children/person
along with photographs to the police officer, who would be
contacting him.
3.Inform the PCR, District Missing Person Unit, Concerned Police
Station through their District Control Room immediately.
4. A register of all the calls received, with details of victim and
contact number and address of the caller/complainant, be
maintained.
5. Update the progress of the action taken by the police on the
complaint including feedback from the Police Station.
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6. Guide the complainant suitably when he/she calls up
subsequently about progress of the case.
(c) INFORMATIONRECEIVEDTHROUGH FAX/E-
MAIL/SMS/WHATSAPP OR ANY OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA
PLATFORM
Whenever any information regarding missing person/child is
received by SHO or any other staff deployed at Police Station
through FAX/E-mail/SMS/WhatsApp or any other social media
platform, he/she shall immediately record the same in Daily
Diary of the Police Station and steps as provided in Para V of
this SOP shall be followed. When the information regarding
missing children/person is forwarded to SHO or any other staff
of concerned Police Station by any Police Officer in hierarchy or
who is not having any jurisdiction on the Police Station, the SHO
or Inspector (Investigation) will immediately make efforts to
contact the actual complainant and take further steps as
provided in Para V of this SOP.
V. DUTIES OF POLICE STATION STAFF:
The Station House Officer will ensure that immediate action is
initiated as per this Standing Order on receipt of a complaint or
information about the missing child/person. The Officer in
charge of police station will maintain a complete record of
various efforts made by him/IOs to trace the missing
children/persons. It should be monitored/reviewed by the SHO
on a weekly basis and the DySP/ACP on a Fortnightly basis and
they shall issue timely instructions and alsoprovide assistance to
the concerned officers.
V(a). Missing Children cases.
As soon as an information or complaint about a missing child is
received, necessary steps for his/her recovery need to be taken
immediately. The first 15 days and especially first 48 hours from
the date of receipt of information complaint about the missing of
a child are very crucial. Diligent efforts are required to be made
within this period and all the steps, taken during this period,
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should be closely monitored by supervisory formations at the
Police Station Sub-Division level.
The following steps need to be taken at Police Station and by
Investigating Officers as per the time frame stipulated in respect
of each step:-
1. A Missing Report should be mentioned in the SHD of Police
Station immediately, clearly mentioning the date and probable
time when he/she was noticed to be missing and all other
details of the missing children like name, parentage, age,
height, complexion, sex, clothes worn and any special mark of
identification etc. The photograph and contact number of
complainant/relative of missing children/person should be
obtained and placed on file. An experienced officer not below
the rank of ASI should be quickly deputed who will contact the
complainant and collect all the details about the victim.
2. Registration of a case is mandatory in cases of all missing
children below 18 years of age. Officer In charge of Police
station will ensure that a FIR is registered under appropriate
penal sections of law.
3. Whenever the police comes across a child, who is unable to
provide information regarding his/her parentage and address, a
case of kidnapping shall be registered and the procedure
outlined in this SO in respect of a missing child shall be initiated
immediately to investigate and ascertain:
i ) The parentage and address of child.
ii)The circumstances under which the child got separated from
his/her family.
iii) The involvement of any organized criminal gang in the case.
4. The IO shall make all necessary efforts to reach at the root of
the matter. The child shall be treated as a juvenile in need of
care and protection and will be produced before the Child
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Welfare Committee as per the procedure. A copy of FIR shall
also be sent to the DLSA to provide legal aid to the victim child.
5. IO/SHO will be held responsible if any complaint disclosing
non-registration of FIR in connection with the missing child is
received. Any negligence will invite strict Departmental action.
6. An experienced officer should be entrusted with the
investigation of a case related to a missing child and at an
appropriate stage, if required during investigation; the
assistance of a woman Police Officer should be enlisted.
Guidelines regarding manner in which cases shall be dealt with
by District AHTU and AHTU/Crime Branch/AHTU (CID) have
already been issued vide Standing order No. 1027
Dt.14.10.2020 which must be strictly complied with.
V (b). Missing person of above 18 years.
1. Whenever any foul play is suspected in case of Missing person
above 18 years of age or where suspects are specifically
mentioned, a case shall be registered, without delay, under
relevant sections of law and investigation shall be taken up in
such cases of missing persons.
2. In case of Missing person, who is over 18 years of age, where
no suspicion has been raised nor has the same come to notice
and where the missing person has remained untraced for a
period of 3 months despite efforts of IO, then in all such cases
the unit head concerned shall order for registration of case U/s
365 IPC/140 of BNS and taking up investigation accordingly.
VI. Investigation/Enquiry process
1. As soon as SHD (Station House Diary) Entry/FIR about the
missing of children/ person is recorded/lodged, Police Control
Room should be informed immediately. The information should
also be transmitted to State Crime Record Bureau (SCRB),
National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) and Children details
should be uploaded on Mission Vatsalya portal and missing
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person details in appropriate portal immediately but not later
than 24 hours.
2. A Wireless Text Message should be flashed immediately on
all-India level with the detailed description of the victim.
3. Information should also be shared with relevant section of
CBI within 24 hours.
4. The Missing Children Information Form (Annexure 'A') should
be filled up immediately and sent to DMPU and MPS within 24
hours.
5. Hue & cry notices should be prepared and circulated in
prominent informers and take up enquiries from the persons
present at the scene or localities/places within 48 hours. The IO
should immediately activate where the missing child was last
seen. He must collect the details of suspects and question them
without any loss of time. He must also within 12 hours. While
questioning children less than 18 years of age, interrogate the
persons at the last workplace, school, tuition place etc. the
relevant provisions of JJ Act should be kept in mind.
6. Cell phone details, if any, of the missing
children/suspect/accused should be immediately obtained
(requisitioned) within 48 hours for further investigation of
his/her whereabouts.
7. Photographs of missing children should be given wide
publicity at all prominent outlets of the city/town/village
concerned - i.e. at railway stations, inter-state bus stands,
airport, regional passport office and through law enforcement
personnel at Border Check Posts. This should be done promptly
and in any case not later than one week of the receipt of the
complaint or information about the missing of a child. However,
prior written permission of parents/guardian shall be taken,
particularly in case the missing child is a girl, before the
photograph is published/broadcast.
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8. Border check posts should be alerted immediately within 04
hours. In case of a missing minor; the check post staff should
also be sensitized to question suspicious adults carrying children
especially where abnormal behavior is noticed, during the
pursuant checking of vehicles/ public transport. The angle of
child labor and trafficking should also be kept in mind while
investigating cases concerning missing of minors.
9. Publicity should be given in surrounding areas using loud-
hailers, if necessary.
10. All necessary publicity should be given in news
papers/electronic media expeditiously preferably within 07 days.
Publicity should also be given through local cable TV network
within 24 hours, wherever possible.
11. Wide publication or efforts to trace missing girl/child by
using Portal like "Track the Missing Child Portal" / "Missing
Vatsalya Portal" or any similar portal which are designated in
this regard.
12.It is very important to check the email account, Facebook
and other social networking application/sites such as Instagram,
WhatsApp etc. of the missing children as well as
suspect/alleged. The 1L.O. will check all these accounts, if any,
of the missing persons as well as suspect in coordination with
the Cyber Cell of Karnataka Police. The parents/family
members/friends and relatives should be examined within first
48 hours to find out the probable cause of disappearance of the
person.
13. The computer, diaries etc. of missing children, if any, as well
as his/her personal belongings should be scrutinized for any clue
within 24 hours with the concurrence of family
members/complainant.
14. As and when the photograph of a missing child is uploaded,
it automatically searches from the recovered/found (not
connected) children data including the data of Ministry of
Women & Child Development (MWCD) being uploaded on all-
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India basis on the website www.trackthemissingchild.gov.in . IO
should check the status of the missing child on this portal
regularly. Similarly, as soon as photograph of a recovered/found
child is uploaded, search is done online automatically with the
missing children's data. Thus, all the missing/found children
data (photograph) should be uploaded at first opportunity and
probable results provided by the system should be obtained by
the IOs to link the missing child with the data of found child and
vice-versa. Since the success of search through FRS greatly
depends on the quality of the photograph, IOs must ensure that
good quality photographs are uploaded on Mission Vatsalya
Portal
15. The nearby areas/spots of interest such as malls,
amusement parks, games parlors, etc. should also be searched
within 04 hours.
16. The footage of CCTV cameras, installed in vicinity of scenes
or last seen should also be scanned within 48 hours.
17. Any person having inimical terms with the missing
children/family should be identified and examined within 24
hours. Also, the level ofthreat or danger to the child or his/her
family should be duly assessed and immediate steps be taken to
ensure their protection, if felt necessary
18. The Police Officer, handling the Missing Report, should
remain in touch with the complainant/family members of the
missing child/person to ascertain if any demand for ransom has
been received, and further legal action be initiated accordingly.
19. Enquiries should be made within 48 hours from the
neighboring police stations about any unidentified dead body
found or information about missing children/persons admitted in
the hospitals.
20. Enquiries should also be made from the hospitals about
unidentified i njured children/persons admitted in the hospitals at
the earliest but not later than a week.
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21 Poor Homes, Children Homes, Nari Niketan, mortuaries in
hospitals, NGOs record, etc. should be checked for the missing
children/ persons at the earliest but not later than a week.
22 In appropriate cases, reward should be declared for
rn
fu ishing any clue about the missing children within a month of
her/his disappearance.
23. The Investigating Officer of missing complaint/
information/case should update the complainant about efforts
made in the matter, ascertain further clues, if any, and also find
out if the missing child/person has returned on his/her own.
24. All known offenders in the area should be associated in the
investigation. If any known offender is found to be missing,
he/she will be tracked on his/her cell phone and through notice
to PCR, alerts will be sent to all beats and other informal
networks. If the child was found to be a drug/substance-user,
all known drug-peddlers in the area should also be duly
investigated.
25. Some age-specific actions will be initiated depending on the
age of the missing child- the actions are not exclusive, but must
be done in a more focused manner.
VI (a) For children aged 0-5 y ears
All helpers/ servants, person's frequently visiting victim's family,
friends of child, crèche owner &last seen person should be
examined immediately and government/private hospitals are
also alerted/intimated online about the missing child with
details. This should be done within 24 hours of receipt of
complaint.
VI (b) For children aged 5-14 years
All social media/online application companies may be
approached for tracing any online activity, IP address, GPS
location of the child. This must be continuously done till the case
is closed.
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In addition to above, in respect of children aged 14-18,
following stepsshould also be taken:
a) Friends, teachers, tuition centers and other places visited by
the childshould be searched and people questioned.
b) In cases of false promise of marriage, the suspected
person/relatives should be questioned within 24 hours of
complaint.
V II. STEPS TO BE TAKEN WHEN CHILD/PERSON IS FOUND
ORRECOVERED:
1. In case the missing child/person is traced, the Police Control
Room, District Missing Persons Unit (DMPU) and Missing Persons
Squad (MPS) should be informed immediately for updating the
record and for discontinuing thesearch.
2. In cases of missing of girl/woman, if the investigation officer
is not a woman officer, then a woman officer must be associated
in the questioning or in appropriate cases; the relatives may
remain present during such proceeding. Briefly, atmosphere
must be created in which a girl/woman feels comfortable and is
not hesitant in disclosing relevant information.
3. After recovery, produce the child before CWC/JJB/Children's
Court, as the case may be, for appropriate directions within 24
hours of recovery of the child.
4. The recovery form "R" must be filled on
www.trackthemissingchild.gov.in and data be updated therein
within 24 hours of the recovery of child.
5. Assess the level of threat or danger to the child, or his/her
family and take immediate steps to ensure their protection
within 24 hours of recovery of child.
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6. Proper home verification be carried out before the child is
reunited with Parents/legal guardians through the CWC within
one week of recovery of child.
7. Send a report to the District Legal Service Authority which
shall provide counseling and support services to child and family
within one week of recovery of child.
8. Conduct an enquiry whether the child has been subjected to
any offence, within one week of recovery of child and if so,
proceed accordingly.
9. Every found/recovered child must be immediately
photographed by the police for purposes of advertisement and
to make his relatives / guardians aware of the child having been
recovered / found.
10. Photographs of the recovered/found child who could not be
restored to the parents/guardians should be published on
website / Newspapers.
11. Whenever a missing child is traced or he/she comes back on
his/her own, the Investigating Officer will examine all relevant
angles such as involvement of organized gangs, application of
provisions of Bonded Labour Act and other relevant Acts.
12. Once a child is recovered, the police authorities shall carry
out further investigation to see whether there is any angle of
trafficking in the circumstances in which the child went missing
and if, on investigation, such links are found, the police shall
take appropriate action thereupon.
13. Whenever, the involvement of any organized gang is found,
it shall be the through proper channel. responsibility of the
Investigating Officer to refer the matter to AHTU wing
VIII. SUPERVISION BY SHOS AND ACPS:
(a) ACP shall ensure that SHO has registered FIR within 24
Hours as per step No: IV above. ACP and SHO will be able to
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monitor the progress of action on the pending complaints as per
the present SO.
(b) All ACPs and SHOs will supervise the efforts made to search
the missing children on day-to-day basis, particularly during the
first 15 days of receipt of the complaint/information. They will
give necessary directions/instructions in writing, to the 10s, in
their supervisory notes. They will also attach copies of such
supervisory notes in the concerned Missing Children file/ case
files.
(c) In the case, which concerns missing of a girl, the DySP/ACP
and the Addl. SP/DCP District must be informed. They should
closely monitor the progress of search and investigation. ACP of
the Sub-division should also visit the spot in cases deemed
necessary.
(d) In the case of very young children, the SHO should get the
immediate search of neighbo u r h ood as well as the place from
where the child was reported missing Special care should be
taken to search public toilets, schools, abandoned buildings,
buildings under construction, locked houses and any other place
in the immediate neighbo ur hood, where the minor child can be
held captive. SHO/IO should take care to check and search all
those places which the missing child was usually visiting.
(e) All ACPs and SHOs will ensure that the copies of all SHD
entries of departure and arrival in such cases are attached with
the concerned missing file.
(f) All SHOs will also ensure that the record of missing children
as well as forms of traced out missing children are filled up and
sent to the DMPU immediately.
(g) All ACPs, SHOs will ensure that notice boards are
appropriately displayed in the Reporting Room of all the Police
Stations with the details of missing children neatly and
prominently written thereon.
IX. DURATION OF ENQUIRY INTO MISSING REPORTS:
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(a) The local police will keep the search continued till missing
child is located.
(b) Missing report in respect of any children, once recorded in
the relevant register maintained in the MPS, and the DMPU, will
be kept open till he or she is located.
(c) The case into missing of a child will be kept open till the
investigation into all known aspects of that case is complete,
and the case will be treated as a Special 1 Report Case and its
investigation will be closely monitored by supervisory
levelsincluding the concerned District SP/DCP:
(d) The progress of enquiry /investigation will be reviewed
periodically by theconcerned head of the units.
X. MISSING CHILDREN/PERSONS REGISTER:
A separate register of Missing Children/Persons shall be
maintained in each Police Station for record. This register should
be maintained uniformly in all police stations as per the columns
specified at Annexure 'B'. Adequate space should be left under
the column "Action Taken" so that detailed entries can be made
in this regard. The SHO and ACP/Sub-Division should scrutinize
this register regularly and guide the officer(s) dealing with the
missing reports/case. They shall also evaluate the circumstances
accompanying each case and order registration ofcriminal case.
XI. MISSING CHILDREN/PERSONS FILES:
A separate file will be maintained in respect of each and every
missing child/person and complete record of efforts made to
trace the missing child/person including copies of all relevant
documents will be kept in this file. The file will be properly
paged and contents of file will be reflected in the Index for
ready reference. The proforma of 'Index' is given at Annexure
'C'. The SHO of Police Station will ensure that this file is properly
updated.
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XII. DISTRICT MISSING PERSONS UNITS:
Each District/Commissionerats shall constitute a Missing Person
Jiet (MPU) at the District Police Office/Other COPs/All Divisions
in Bengaluru CityCommissionerate.
The DMPU shall function under the DCRB/CCRB and shall be
responsible for collection, collation, analysis and review of data
relating to missing childrenand missing persons.
The DMPU shall function under the overall supervision of Addl.
SP (Crime) / DCP (Crime) of the respective District/ Other
Commissionerates/ DCP ofDivisions in Bengaluru City
Commissionerate.
The DMPU shall act as the nodal coordination unit for inter-
district, inter-state and inter-agency communication in missing
cases.
XIII. DUTIES OF DMPU FUNCTIONAL & SUPERVISORY OFFICERS
(a) The DMPU of units will function under Addl. SP (Crime)/DCP
(crime), under overall supervision of SP/CP.
(b) Addl. SP (Crime)/DCP (Crime) of units will be responsible for
monitoring of uploading of information on portals regarding
cases of kidnapped and missing children. He will ensure that
details of all the children missing, kidnapped and abducted are
available on digital portals in the approved format & deleted
when the child is found or returns on his own. The information
with regard to missing chil d ren/persons shall be immediately
uploaded in the available digital portals.
(c) DMPU will match the missing children/ persons record with
the data of unidentified dead bodies found.
(d) DMPU will study the pattern of disappearance of children,
particularly girls in the district. If anything points towards an
organized operation in the disappearance of children, it will
immediately alert all officers of the concerned area and
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launchoperations to collect intelligence and apprehend the
persons involved.
(e) DMPU will interact with AHTU's to study and discuss the
pattern of disappearance of children in the city and exchange
intelligence about gangs, if any.
XIV. ANTI HUMAN TRAFFICKING UNIT OF DISTRICT:
This unit is functional in all the units as per directions contained
in Standing Order No. 1027 Dt. 14.10.2020. The Addl.
S.P./DCPs will ensure that the investigation of cases, relating to
missing of children between the age-group of 3-8 years, who
could not be rescued or found/recovered within a period of 4
months, should be transferred to Anti Human Trafficking Unit
automatically. This provision should be complied in diligent
manner.
XV. MISSING PERSONS SQUAD:
Every Police Station shall have a Missing Person Squad (MPS)
The MPS shall consist of One PSI as the in-charge, four staf f
drawn from HC/PC cadreincluding 1 WHC/WPC.
The MPS shall function under the overall supervision of the
PI / CPI of the Police Station. The MPS shall ensure prompt
registration, immediate field action, investigation, sustained
follow-up, anddocumentation in ail missing cases.
(a) The Missing Persons Squad (MPS) shal l monitor the
uploading of date regarding children /persons reported missing
and unidentified persons found, in the digital portals and will
prepare fortnightly as well as monthly reports in this regard
(b) It will maintain close links with District Missing Persons Unit
(DMPU) und ensure that uploading of data and matching of
missing children/persons with U Identified Dead Bodies/persons
found is carried out effectively.
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(c) The In-charge MPS will match the information regarding
missing children/persons with the data available with the MPS
and if matched, it should be communicated to concerned police
station. A weekly diary about matched/traced children/persons
should be sent to ACP/DYSP AHTU Section.
(d) The record of missing children/persons, unidentified dead
bodies and unidentified persons found at each police station
shall be updated on the digital portals. It will be the
responsibility of each 10 to ensure that, further progress is also
up-loaded on the digital portals besides making efforts towards
tracing/linking the missing person/UIDB as well as maintaining
an up-to-date file in every case of missing person, unidentified
dead body police station shall ensure that or unidentified person
police station shall ensure that
found. The SHO of computerized
record of missing persons, unidentified dead bodies and
unidentified persons found/missing person’s traced form (Annexure-
D) is maintained up-to-date and is available for scrutiny by supervisory
officers.
XVI. Constitution of Committee for Review and Supervision of
Missingpersons cases in the State:
A committee for Review and Supervision of Missing Persons
Cases is hereby constituted in all the Range/Commissonerate
across the State.
A. Composition of the Committee:
1. Inspector General of Police of the Range/ Commissioner of
Police in Commissonerate - Chairperson
2. Superintendent of Police/DCP in the District/City Member
3. Deputy Superintendent of Police/ ACP of the Jurisdictional
Sub-Division-Member
B. Duties and Responsibilities of the Committee:
i) The Committee should follow the directions given by this
Hon'ble Court while disposing of the Habeas Corpus Petition.
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ii) The committee should review the missing person's case
investigation conducted by the Jurisdictional Police every 3
months.
iii) The Committee should ensure that the Guidelines laid down
in the Hon'ble Supreme Court and the Hon'ble High Court is
strictly followed by the Jurisdictional Police/Concerned Officer.
iv) The Committee should also strictly scrutinize that the
Jurisdictional Police/Concerned Officer has complied and
followed all the SOP issued by the Central Government and
State Government and Police Department time to time.
v) The Committee should ensure that the Jurisdictional
Police/concerned officer has exhaustively made use of all the
available upgraded technology in the investigation.
vi) The Committee should ensure that Jurisdictional
Police/concerned Officer has given wide publication or made
effort to trace missing child/person by using Portals which are
designated in this regard.
vii) The Committee should ensure that the Jurisdictional
Police/Concerned Officer should update on the information
available frequently onmissing person's portal.
vi ii ) The Committee has to evolve the checklist to ensure that all
the Jurisdictional Police/Concerned Officer has complied with all
the procedure.
ix) The Committee should ensure and satisfy itself that the
family of the missing girl/child has been properly
consulted/taking into confidence by Jurisdictional
P olice/Concerned Officer.
x) The Committee should further ensure in appropriate cases
direct Jurisdictional Police/Concerned Officer to take assistance
of agencies like National Investigation Agency, State Intelligence
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Bureau, the Antihuman Trafficking Agency, CID, CBI and any
other similar agencies, for investigation of missing children.
xi) In the opinion of the Committee if the Jurisdictional
Police/concerned officer has not worked satisfactorily then the
committee has power to recommend the authority to change the
investigation officer or take appropriate action in this regard.
C. Procedure to be followed by the Committee:
The committee keeping in mind, the directions issued by Hon'ble
Supreme Court and Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka in various
cases and the SOP issued by the Governments and Department
time to time, should evolve its own procedure by preparing
checklist for effective discharging of its responsibility.
D. Submission of Report:
The Committee should conduct the Review of the investigation
for every 3months and consequently submit 2 reports every
year between 6 months tothe Registrar (judicial) of Hon'ble High
Court of Karnataka. The said exercise should be carried until the
missing person is found or for the period of 7 years from the
date of filing of Complaint of missing person, whichever is
earlier.
1. Every case of missing persons wherein the missing person
has not been found or the mortal remains of the missing person
having not been recovered for more than two months, the said
case shall be placed before the said committee.
2. The Committee shall review the investigation already done in
the case placed before it and shall oversee further investigation
in the matter and ensure compliance of various directions issued
by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and High Court of Karnataka as
also compliance of the Circulars and SOPs issued by the Central
and State Governments.
3. The Committee shall forward a report with regard to the
investigation already carried out and the further steps to be
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taken to investigate the missing person's complaint to the
Registrar (Judicial)/Additional Registrar (Judicial) as the case
may be within two weeks of the case being referred to
XVII. Karnataka State Legal Services Authority:
(i) It shall be the responsibility of the SHO to ensure that a copy
of FIR registered with regard to the missing of a child is
delivered to Karnataka State Legal Services Authority by hand
or by post or by E-Mail along with the addresses and
contact/phone numbers of parents of the missing child.
(ii) All IOs/SHOs/police stations must extend full cooperation to
the members of KSLSA on any information relating to missing
children etc.
XVIII. CO-ORDINATION WITH POLICE OF OTHER STATES:
All concerned SHOs will ensure that the details of missing
children/persons and victims are sent through special
messengers to neighbouring District Crime Record Bureaus and
also to SHOs of Police Stations of neighbouring states. In case
of any information or clue to be followed up, the IO will be
immediately dispatched to tie up with the concerned police
station of a neighbouring state/district. In appropriate cases
where involvement of any organized gang suspected, the AHTU
Branch will maintain necessary liaison with the police of other
states and the CBI.
XIX. CHILDREN IN NEED OF CARE:
In the efforts by police in respect of missing minors, it will also
be importan t to identify "Run-away Children", "Abandoned
Children" "Neglected Children" and such "Vulnerable Children"
who are often found roaming around places where they are
particularly exposed to abuse and exploitation such as railway
stations, traffic junctions etc. Their vulnerability increases due
to lack of support structures-family or otherwise. Proper
identification, provision of care and support, and a 'safe place is
vital for them. Child Welfare Committees will m aintain the
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record o f all rescued children. These children, under the JJ Act,
are the children in need care and attention, which should be
given to them, and necessary action should be taken by all the
concerned as per the guidelines issued earlier. For coordinating
th e issue of "Children in need of Care" at Police Station level,
f
the SHO and Child Wel are Police Officer (CWPC) of Police
Station shall act as the Nodal Officer. They will coordinate and
supervise all issues/cases pertaining to such children and study
the pattern emerging out of these cases at the police station
level, and report the same to SHO and ACP/DySP Sub-Division
as well as to DMPU and Senior Child Welfare Police Officer.
Appropriate cases will also he brought to the notice of the SJPU.
The Nodal Officers at police station will talk to returning or
recovered children in detail to ascertain any angle of crime or
offence or gang, and report the same to SHO and ACP/DySP
Sub-Division as well as to Senior Child Welfare Officer.
XX. CO-OPERATION FROM NGOS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS:
(a) NGOs should be intimated in cases where girl is minor and
an allegation of sexual assault comes to notice.
(b) In places where vulnerable groups of children are found in
large numbers, & mechanism could be evolved in partnership
with non-governmental organizations and social workers,
whereby apart from rendering counseling to them, awareness
XVIII. CO-ORDINATION WITH POLICE OF OTHER STATES:
All concerned SHOs will ensure that the details of missing
children/persons and victims are sent through special
messengers to neighbouring District Crime Record Bureaus and
also to SHOs of Police Stations of neighbouring states. In case
of any information or clue to be followed up, the IO will be
immediately dispatched to tie up with the concerned police
station of a neighboring state/district. In appropriate cases
where involvement of any organized gang is suspected, the
AHTU Branch will maintain necessary liaison with the police of
other states and the CBI.
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XIX. CHILDREN IN NEED OF CARE:
In the efforts by police in respect of missing minors, it will also
be important to identify "Run-away Children", "Abandoned
Children" "Neglected Children" and such "Vulnerable Children"
who are often found roaming around places where they are
particularly exposed to abuse and exploitation such as railway
stations, traffic junctions etc. Their vulnerability increases due
to lack of support structures family or otherwise. Proper
identification, provision of care and support, and a 'safe place is
vital for them. Child Welfare Committees will maintain the
record of all rescued children. These children, under the JJ Act,
are the children in need of care and attention, which should be
given to them, and necessary action should be taken by all the
concerned as per the guidelines issued earlier. For coordinating
the issue of "Children in need of Care" at Police Station level,
the SHO and Child Welfare Police Officer (CWPC) of Police
Station shall act as the Nodal Officer. They will coordinate and
supervise all issues/cases pertaining to such children and study
the pattern emerging out of these cases at the police station
level, and report the same to SHO and ACP/DySP Sub-Division
as well as to DMPU and Senior Child Welfare Police Officer.
Appropriate cases will also be brought to the notice of the SJPU.
The Nodal Officers at police station will talk to returning or
recovered children in detail to ascertain any angle of crime or
offence or gang, and report the same to SHO and ACP/DySP
Sub-Division as well as to Senior Child Welfare Officer.
XX. CO-OPERATION FROM NGOS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS:
(a) NGOs should be intimated in cases where girl is minor and
an allegation of sexual assault comes to notice.
(b) In places where vulnerable groups of children are found in
large numbers, a mechanism could be evolved in partnership
with non-governmental organizations and social workers,
whereby apart from rendering counseling to them, awareness-
raising activities are also carried out. This would not only instill
confidence in them but also strengthen them and given them
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special protection so that they are in no way l ured by external
agencies / factors.
(c) In order to make the investigative procedures concerning
missing children more t ransparent and user-friendly, it would be
preferable for the investigating team to involve the community
at large, such as representatives of Panchayat Kaj
Institutions/Municipal Committees/Neighbo u rhood
Committees/Resident Welfare Associations, etc., in addition to
existing help-lines. This will enable the community to get fully
involved along with the police in tracing missing children.
(d) Periodic interface will also be maintained with Principals,
teachers and students of the area by Child Welfare Police officer,
Senior Child Welfare officer, SHO ACP/DySP, MPS and AHTU to
sensitize them about Do's and Don'ts for children.
XXI. CO-OPERATION FROM PUBLIC:
Co-operation from members of Residents Welfare Associations,
active NGOs and other public spirited persons in the area should
also be enlisted in these efforts for tracing of missing
children/persons.
XXII. CHECK-LIST
In order to ensure that all the requisite steps of investigation in
the case of missing children/person are taken in the case of a
complaint with regard to a missing woman/minor while a l so
dealing with the cases of other missing person.
A check-list for convenience of IOs has been prepared
(Annexure-E). The 10s shall use the same as index while
proceeding in such matters. SHO and other supervisory officers,
while monitoring such cases, shall ensure its compliance a per
the requirement of the matter and also issue appropriate
directions accordingly
It is further directed that if the police authorities do not follow
the above directions, the concerned officer/s shall be liable to
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face appropriate disciplinary proceedings in accordance with the
relevant service rules.
Sd/-
(Dr. M.A. Saleem, IPS)
Director General and
Inspector General of Police
Karnataka State.”
10. In pursuance of the said standing order, a circular was
issued on 21.01.2026. Adopting the said standing
order, on 21.01.2026, a circular has also been issued
constituting a District Missing Persons Unit (DMPU) and
Missing Persons Squad procedure for investigation by
the Anti Human Trafficking Units(AHTU) and Monitoring
of the Digital Portal and Data Upload in respect of the
said missing persons and the details thereto on the
concerned web portal.
11. A circular has also been issued on 21.01.2026 insofar as
Bangalore City is concerned, which reads as under:
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“Government of Karnataka
(Police Department)
No: CRM-2/11/WP/2025 Office of the
Director General and
Inspector General of Police,
Nrupathunga Road, Bengaluru-01
Dated: 21.01.2026
CIRCULAR
Sub: Strengthening of investigation. monitoring and
co-ordination in Cases of missing children and
missing persons constitution of District/Division
Missing Persons Units and Missing Persons Squads -reg.
Ref: Daily order dated: 12/09/2025 in Ramakrishna S/o
Subray Bhat Vs The Director General of Police,
WP HC No: 100012/2024
The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India and Hon'ble High Courts, in a series
of judgments and directions, have repeatedly emphasized that cases of
missing children and missing persons are to be treated with utmost
seriousness, urgency and sensitivity. Courts have observed that delay,
casual approach, or lack of coordination in such cases may result in
irreversible harm, including trafficking, exploitation and loss of life. In
view of the constitutional obligation of the State to protect life and liberty,
and in compliance with the directions issued by the Hon'ble Courts from
time to time, it is imperative that investigation, monitoring and follow-up
of missing cases are institutionalised, accountable and technology-driven.
1. DISTRICT MISSING PERSONS UNITS (DMPU):
Each District/Commissionerats shall constitute a Missing Person Unit
(MPU) at the District Police Office/Other COPs/All Divisions in Bengaluru
City Commissionerate.
The DMPU shall function under the DCRB/CCRB and shall be responsible
for collection, collation, analysis and review of data relating to missing
children and missing persons.
The DMPU shall function under the overall supervision of Addl SP
(Crime)/DCP (Crime) of the respective District/ Other
Commissionerates/DCP of Divisions in /Bengaluru City Commissionerate.
The DMPU shall act as the nodal coordination unit for inter-district, inter-
state and inter-agency communication in missing cases.
2. MISSING PERSONS SQUAD:
Every Police Station shall have a Missing Person Squad (MPS), The MPS
shall consist of One PSI as the in-charge, four staff drawn from
HC/PC.cadre including 1 WHC/WPC
The MPS shall function under the overall supervision of the Pl/CPI of the
Police Station. The MPS shall ensure prompt registration, immediate field
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action, investigation, sustained follow-up, and documentation in all
missing cases,
3. INVESTIGATION BY ANTI HUMAN TRAFFICKING UNITS (AHTU)
Cases transferred to AHTU as per Standing Orders shall be investigated
exclusively by AHTU. Such investigations shall be conducted under the
supervision of the Pl of the concerned Women Police Station. The
directions issued vide Circular No. CRM-2/224/WP/2018 dated:
16/09/2020 and SOP No. 1027 dated: 14/10/2020 shall be strictly
followed without deviation.
4. MONITORING OF DIGITAL PORTALS & DATA UPLOAD
Uploading of data relating to missing children and missing persons on all
prescribed digital portals, and adherence to procedural requirements.
shall be continuously monitored by DMPU. The Senior Child Welfare Police
Officer (Sr. CWPO) of the District/Division shall personally monitor these
aspects till the missing child is traced. Any delay, omission or incorrect
data entry shall be viewed seriously and fixed with responsibility.
The Unit Officers are directed to take immediate action to constitute the
DMPU and MPS in your respective Units and comply the above directions.
Sd/-
(Dr. M.A Saleem, IPS)
Director General and
Inspector General of Police
Karnataka State.
To:
All the Unit Officers.”
12. A perusal of Standing Order No.1054 would indicate
that the concerned authorities have, over a period of
time, evolved a structured administrative framework
to deal with the issue of missing persons, particularly
missing children and girls, which has emerged as a
matter of serious public concern. The Standing Order
provides for a systematic institutional mechanism to
ensure that complaints regarding missing persons
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are promptly registered, investigated and monitored
at multiple levels within the police administration.
13. The Standing Order contemplates the establishment
of a District Missing Persons Unit (DMPU) in each
district. The purpose of constituting such units is to
create a specialised administrative structure
responsible for receiving complaints relating to
missing persons, coordinating investigations,
maintaining records and ensuring follow-up action in
such cases. These units are intended to function as
nodal agencies within each district so that cases
relating to missing persons are not treated as routine
complaints but receive focused attention from the
police authorities.
14. The Standing Order further provides for the
constitution of a review and supervisory mechanism
at the State level, which would periodically monitor
the progress of investigations relating to missing
persons. The objective of such review committees is
to ensure that cases are not allowed to lapse into
inactivity merely because the missing person has not
been traced within a short period of time. The
supervisory committee is expected to examine
pending cases, identify investigative gaps and issue
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appropriate directions to the concerned officers so
that investigation continues in a meaningful manner.
15. Another important aspect contemplated under the
Standing Order is the need for coordination with
police authorities of other States in cases where it is
suspected that the missing person may have
travelled outside the territorial limits of the State of
Karnataka. In today’s context, where mobility across
State boundaries is common, it is often necessary for
the police authorities of one State to seek the
cooperation of their counterparts in another State for
tracing missing persons. While the Standing Order
provides a broad framework for such coordination,
the precise modalities of inter-State cooperation
cannot be exhaustively codified within the four
corners of an administrative order or a standard
operating procedure. Such coordination would
necessarily depend upon mutual cooperation and
administrative coordination between the police
authorities of different States, and would have to be
undertaken on a case-to-case basis depending upon
the circumstances of each matter.
16. It is therefore hoped and expected that whenever the
authorities of the State of Karnataka request the
assistance of police authorities in another State in
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tracing a missing person, such request would be
responded to in a cooperative manner. Likewise, the
police authorities in the State of Karnataka would
also extend similar cooperation whenever assistance
is sought by other States in relation to missing
persons investigations. Such reciprocal cooperation
becomes particularly crucial in cases involving
missing children and missing girls, which are matters
of grave concern to society and require urgent and
coordinated action. It would also be necessary that a
national framework with a database is set up to
enable co-ordination by authorities across
jurisdictions, since trafficking can happen from one
state to another and in many cases separated by
several states.
17. It cannot be lost sight of that a large number of
complaints relating to missing persons, including
minor children and young girls, are reported across
the State, and in many cases families are left without
any meaningful information regarding the
whereabouts of their loved ones for long periods of
time. In such circumstances, it becomes the
responsibility of the State to ensure that the
institutional mechanisms contemplated under the
Standing Orders are not merely existing on paper but
are effectively operationalised in practice.
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18. Learned Additional Government Advocate submits
that Standing Order No.1054 and the circulars issued
pursuant thereto have been implemented by the
State authorities, and that the administrative
machinery contemplated under the said Standing
Order is now functioning. She further submits that
the District Missing Persons Units have been
established and that the review and monitoring
mechanisms envisaged under the Standing Order
have been activated.
19. It is further submitted that going forward, all cases
relating to missing persons would be periodically
monitored by the authorities designated under
Standing Order No.1054, and the progress of
investigation in such matters would be subject to
regular review. The submission of the learned AGA
that the Standing Order has been operationalised
and that the designated authorities are monitoring
such cases is taken on record.
20. Insofar as the present case is concerned, learned
AGA submits that the complaint relating to the
missing person referred to by the petitioner had
earlier been categorised under the “dormant”
category, presumably on account of the absence of
fresh leads during the course of investigation.
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However, it is submitted that the said case has now
been reclassified as an “active case”, and that the
investigation has been recommenced.
21. It is further submitted that the investigating
authorities have resumed their efforts to trace the
missing person and that the investigation would
continue until the missing individual is located or
further conclusive information is obtained. The
submission of the learned AGA that the case has now
been moved from the dormant category to the active
category and that investigation has recommenced is
also placed on record.
22. In view of the above submissions made by the
learned AGA, the immediate grievance of the
petitioner, namely that the case had not been
actively investigated, stands substantially addressed.
Once the State authorities have indicated that the
case has been revived and investigation has
recommenced, no further directions are required to
be issued in relation to the investigation of the
present case at this stage.
23. However, the matter cannot be viewed purely from
the perspective of the individual grievance of the
petitioner alone. The larger issue that arises for
consideration relates to the effective implementation
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of Standing Order No.1054 and the monitoring
mechanisms contemplated thereunder. Since the
State has placed reliance upon the said Standing
Order and the circulars issued thereunder to indicate
that a structured mechanism now exists for dealing
with missing persons cases, it becomes necessary for
this Court to ensure that such mechanism is actually
functioning in the manner intended.
24. In that view of the matter, though the present
petition stands disposed of insofar as the individual
grievance of the petitioner is concerned, this Court is
of the opinion that the respondent–State ought to
place on record a comprehensive compliance report
regarding the implementation and operationalisation
of Standing Order No.1054.
25. The compliance report shall, inter alia, indicate:
25.1. Whether District Missing Persons Units have
been constituted in all districts of the State;
25.2. The composition of the review and supervisory
committees constituted for monitoring missing
persons cases;
25.3. The frequency of review meetings conducted by
such committees;
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25.4. The number of missing persons cases currently
under investigation, including the number of
cases classified as active, dormant or traced;
25.5. The mechanism adopted for coordination with
police authorities of other States in cases where
the missing person is suspected to have moved
outside the State; and
25.6. Details regarding any digital portal, database or
online platform established for tracking missing
persons cases, including the nature of
information uploaded thereon and the manner
in which such information is periodically
updated.
25.7. The respondent–State shall also indicate in the
compliance report whether any integrated
digital system or portal has been established for
maintaining and monitoring records of missing
persons, including photographs, identifying
details and investigation status, and whether
such system is accessible to the relevant police
authorities across the State for the purpose of
coordinated investigation.
26. Though the present writ petition stands disposed of
in view of the submissions made by the learned AGA
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regarding the revival of investigation in the
petitioner’s case, the matter shall be listed after a
reasonable period for the limited purpose of receiving
the compliance report regarding the
operationalisation of Standing Order No.1054 and the
circulars issued thereunder, so that the Court may be
satisfied that the institutional mechanism
contemplated under the said Standing Order is
effectively functioning.
27. Re-list on 10.04. 2026 for filing compliance report .
Sd/-
(SURAJ GOVINDARAJ)
JUDGE
KTY/List No.: 2 Sl No.: 50