Supreme Court Directs Appointment of Nodal Officers to Address Rising Cases of Missing Children
The Supreme Court has directed all States and Union Territories to appoint nodal officers to handle cases of missing children. These officers' contact details must be published on the Mission Vatsalya portal, managed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The court observed that despite existing portals like TrackChild and Khoya-Paya, there is a lack of information sharing among stakeholders. The Bench emphasized the need for a coordinated network across districts and states to ensure prompt action on complaints and effective collection of information to trace missing children and investigate perpetrators.
Key Points
- Nodal officers must be appointed in every State and UT to manage missing children cases.
- The Mission Vatsalya portal serves as the central platform for information sharing and coordination.
- The SC highlighted the failure of authorities to take timely action despite a surge in child abduction and trafficking.
- A coordinated network across districts and states is required for efficient dissemination of information.
Exam Facts
- Mission Vatsalya portal
- Ministry of Women and Child Development
- TrackChild and Khoya-Paya platforms
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