The Supreme Court today summoned Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, DGP of Bihar and Chhattisgarh to explain what action they are taking on the growing number of missing and untraced children. Sending a stern warning to all states, a bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu asked them not to make a drama of the issue and take effective action to tackle such incidents. It also asked the Chief Secretary of Karnataka and Tripura to be personally present on the next date of hearing to brief it about their proposed action plan.

The bench said that it would not hesitate to summon top officers, if such incidents occur repeatedly in their jurisdiction.It added that it is disturbing that such incidents are taking place,despite several orders passed by it.

The Apex Court had passed a slew of directions on the Public Interest Litigation, PIL alleging that over 1.7 lakh children have gone missing in the country between January 2008-2010. It directed that an FIR should be registered as soon as information regarding a missing child is received by police. Further, a photo of the child be uploaded on the 'Child Track website', adding that there should be a Juvenile Welfare Officer in every police station in the country.