New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of reports highlighting a growing number of missing persons across several states and the poor record in tracing them, particularly children. The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of Bihar, Odisha, Telangana, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, seeking detailed reports within two weeks.
The action follows a media report indicating that between 12,000 and 14,000 missing person cases have been registered annually in Bihar since 2013. A significant portion of these cases involve children, and reports suggest that barely two-thirds of the missing children have been traced so far.
According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the highest number of human trafficking cases have been registered in Odisha, Bihar, Telangana and Maharashtra. Odisha reportedly tops the list in cases involving trafficking of minor boys, followed by Bihar. In the trafficking of minor girls, Rajasthan has recorded the highest number of cases.
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported increasing number of missing people and the poor record in tracing them. Reportedly, maximum cases of human trafficking registered in Odisha, Bihar, Telangana, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Link at: https://t.co/oZZjDxGDUd pic.twitter.com/wNG4OaUxii
— NHRC India (@India_NHRC) March 13, 2026
The media report, published on March 9, 2026, raised concerns that many of the missing children may be forced into begging, child labour, prostitution and other illegal activities linked to trafficking networks.
Taking note of the report, the NHRC observed that if the claims are true, they raise serious concerns of human rights violations. The Commission also noted the worrying trend that despite various measures taken by state governments, the number of missing persons continues to rise while only a limited number of cases are successfully traced.
The Commission has directed the Chief Secretaries and DGPs of the five states to submit comprehensive reports detailing the steps taken or proposed to address the increasing number of missing persons, particularly children.
In addition, the NHRC has sought the latest statistical data from the NCRB regarding the status of missing persons in these states. Both the state authorities and the NCRB have been asked to submit their responses within two weeks.
