Kidnapping FIR is mandatory in child missing cases – Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has directed that an FIR must be mandatorily registered in all cases of missing children, treating them as potential kidnapping cases. The court clarified that police should not delay registration of cases in the name of preliminary inquiry. It emphasized that immediate legal action is essential in such sensitive matters to ensure the safety of children. The court also expressed concern over the alarming number of nearly 47,000 missing children across the country and stressed the seriousness of child trafficking cases.