The Delhi High Court has recently introduced a series of guidelines aimed at strengthening the prevailing standing orders and standard operating procedures concerning the investigation of missing children cases.

Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma highlighted the hurdles faced by investigating officers in missing children cases. She emphasized the necessity of establishing further guidelines not only for the officers' benefit but also for the welfare of the public.

The Court emphasized that in an evolving and dynamic India, children are considered the most precious treasures, deserving the utmost care and a secure environment.

The emphasis was placed on the collective responsibility of law enforcement and investigative agencies to work together. Their goal should not only be the prompt location of missing children but also their swift reunification with their guardians or families.

In response to a case brought by the father of a 16-year-old girl who had gone missing earlier in the year and was eventually found, the Court noted that she had left home due to a misunderstanding with her parents. The father expressed concern about the police's negligence, as she was located 17 days after her disappearance. Consequently, he urged the Court to instruct the authorities to strictly adhere to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for missing children's cases, as outlined by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2016.

Taking this matter into account, the Court proceeded to issue the following directives.

The Court mandated the translation of both the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and the Standing Orders of the Delhi Police regarding missing children into commonly spoken languages in Delhi such as Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu. This decision was grounded in the belief that these translations would enhance comprehension of the SOP among police officers.

The Court further emphasized the need for learning modules created for the convenience of police personnel. To ensure this, it directed the Delhi Police Academy to develop these training modules for all newly recruited officers in the Academy.

Additionally, the Court mandated the creation of a user-friendly, readily accessible handbook that condenses the essential procedures for quick reference. This handbook is to be made available at every police station for easy access by officers.

The Court underscored the necessity of a standardized checklist to guide investigating officers and ordered its formulation and maintenance at all police stations. This checklist aims to ensure a consistent and comprehensive approach in handling cases involving missing children.

The Court acknowledged instances where parents or guardians find missing children but fail to notify the investigating agency of their recovery. To bridge this gap, the Court mandated that any complaint filed about a missing child must explicitly include a provision. This provision specifies that if the parents or guardians locate the missing child, they are obligated to inform the investigating officer within 48 hours of the discovery.