SC asks states to file status report on missing children

Taking a stern view over the matter of missing children, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked four state governments to comply with its previous order and file status reports on the cases of missing children by October 16.

Chiding the state governments of Arunachal Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the apex court said the states have not complied with its orders in filing status reports of missing children' cases.

The apex court's response came after the Bachpan Bachao Aandolan filed a petition which came up for hearing on Wednesday.

"The Court has given a last chance to comply with the order and also provide information to the Supreme Court. How many children have gone missing from each state, how many FIRs have registered, how many juvenile justice officers have been appointed in the police stations and in which police stations the paralegals have been appointed?" said lawyer H S Phoolka.

He also added that if any state does not comply with the direction and does not take the matter of the missing children seriously then the court will take a very strict view and the Chief Secretaries would be summoned.