Mumbai: A 12-year-old boy residing at the Mankhurd Children’s Home went missing on Monday evening, triggering concern among authorities and prompting a full-scale police investigation. The incident reportedly occurred around 4 pm during the children’s routine outdoor play session. Despite extensive efforts by the staff and authorities, the boy remains untraceable.
The Mankhurd Children’s Home, one of eight such state-run shelters in Mumbai, houses orphans, underprivileged children and those separated from their families. According to officials, the children are routinely allowed to play outdoors between 4 pm and 6 pm under supervision. However, during Monday's evening roll call, the staff discovered that three boys were missing. While two of them returned shortly after, the 12-year-old did not.
Children's Home Staff Looked For Child, Then Approached Cops
Staff members immediately began searching for the missing child and continued their efforts well into the night, but with no success. The home’s management escalated the matter and approached the Trombay Police Station.
Following the complaint, police registered a case of kidnapping and launched a search operation to trace the boy. Multiple police teams have been deployed in and around the Mankhurd area, and CCTV footage from nearby locations is being examined as part of the investigation.
Kidnapping Case Filed
Reports quoting police sources said that while it is not uncommon for children from such institutions to attempt escapes, the seriousness of the situation warranted the registration of a kidnapping case. “Until we know the circumstances of the disappearance, we are treating this as a possible kidnapping,” an officer said, as quoted by Lokmat Times.
Cops are also reviewing protocols at the children’s home, especially regarding supervision during outdoor activities. The child’s details have been circulated to nearby police stations and child welfare bodies and missing person notices have been issued.
