NEW DELHI, Sept 10: The Supreme Court on Thursday sought responses from the Centre, states and Union Territories on a PIL seeking a nationwide framework for investigating cases involving the kidnapping and abduction of children.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued notices to the Centre, states and Union Territories, as well as the Union ministries of Education, Law and Justice, and Home Affairs.
The bench also sought a response from the Law Commission on the petition filed by advocate and petitioner Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay.
The plea seeks the establishment of a uniform mechanism to deal with cases involving missing, kidnapped and abducted children. It has called for investigations to be completed within a prescribed timeframe, along with specialised procedures for handling such cases.
The petitioner has also sought the creation of dedicated courts to ensure that cases involving children are tried and disposed of without unnecessary delays.
The petition, filed through advocate-on-record Ashwani Kumar Dubey, highlighted what it described as systemic shortcomings in the handling of cases concerning missing and abducted children.
It urged the court to intervene to ensure that investigating agencies adopt a prompt, coordinated and effective approach whenever a child is reported missing or is suspected to have been kidnapped or abducted.
The plea emphasises the need for greater coordination among authorities and specialised handling of such cases, particularly during the initial stages of an investigation.
The petitioner has sought judicial directions aimed at strengthening the existing response mechanism and ensuring that investigations and subsequent trials are not delayed.
The notices issued by the apex court mark the beginning of its consideration of the broader issues raised in the petition. Responses from the concerned authorities are expected to assist the court in examining the need for a standardised framework across the country.