SC Seeks Centre, States’ Response On Uniform Probe Into Child Kidnapping Cases

NEW DELHI, Sept 10: The Supreme Court on Thursday sought responses from the Centre and states on a PIL seeking a uniform nationwide mechanism for investigating cases of child kidnapping and abduction, including time-bound probes, specialised procedures and dedicated courts for speedy trials.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued notices to the Centre, states and Union Territories, as well as the Ministries of Education, Law and Justice and Home Affairs, and the Law Commission.

The PIL has been filed by advocate and petitioner Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, through advocate-on-record Ashwani Kumar Dubey.

The petition highlighted alleged systemic failures in handling cases involving missing, kidnapped and abducted children and sought judicial intervention to ensure prompt and coordinated action by investigating agencies.

It seeks a standardised mechanism across the country for investigation of such cases, with prescribed timelines and specialised procedures, besides dedicated courts to ensure speedy disposal of trials. (Agencies)