New Delhi: In a bid to curb the menace of missing children in the city, the Delhi Police has passed revised instructions to senior officers related to the procedure which should be followed on receipt of information about missing children. Police sources told Millennium Post that in June this year the instructions were passed.
Senior police officers were told that whenever any information regarding missing person or child is received by SHO or any other staff deployed at the police station through fax, e-mail, SMS, WhatsApp or any other social media platform, he or she shall immediately record the same in the daily diary of the police station.
Sources further said that as soon as information or complaint about a missing child is received, necessary steps of his or her recovery need to be taken immediately. "Whenever the police come across a child who is unable to provide information regarding his or her parents and address, a case of kidnapping shall be registered," sources said adding that social media should be scanned during investigation procedure.
According to police sources, the order further says ACP shall ensure that SHO has registered FIR within 24 hours. As soon as information or complaint about a missing child is received, the necessary steps for his/her recovery need to be taken immediately. The first 15 days and especially first 48 hours from the date of receipt of information/complaint about the missing of a child are very crucial.
"The inspector (investigation) will maintain a complete record of various efforts made by him/IOs to trace the missing children/persons. "It should be monitored/reviewed by SHO on a weekly basis and ACP on a fortnightly basis and they shall issue timely instructions and also provide concerned officers," sources said quoting instructions.
Sources further told this newspaper during the investigation of the missing case, the relevant provisions of JJ ACT should be kept in mind while questioning children less than 18 years of age.
"In order to ensure that all requisite steps of investigation in the case of missing children/person are taken, a checklist for convenience of IOs has been prepared. The investigation officers shall use the same as index while proceeding in such matters.