HC takes suo motu note of over 1.08 lakh missing cases in UP
Expressing deep concern, the court called the numbers shocking and said the scale of missing persons cases was alarming
Lucknow:
The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has taken suo motu note of a worrying rise in missing persons cases in Uttar Pradesh. On Wednesday, the court registered the matter as a public interest litigation after seeing fresh data placed before it.
The court said the numbers were shocking. It also said the response from the authorities showed a serious lack of urgency.
According to records, more than 1.08 lakh people have gone missing in the state over the last two years. Out of these cases, police action was started in only about 9,700. In the rest, no clear steps were taken to trace the missing persons.
The judges said they were deeply disturbed by this gap. It added that missing persons cases demand quick and serious action.
The division bench included Justice Abdul Moin and Justice Babita Rani. They were hearing a criminal writ petition filed by Vikrama Prasad. Prasad told the court that his son went missing in July 2024. He said the police did not show interest in finding him.
During the hearing, the judges asked why police response was so slow. They questioned how such a large number of cases could be left without proper action.
The court then asked the additional chief secretary for home affairs to file a detailed affidavit. The affidavit was later placed before the bench and included statewide data on missing persons.
As per the affidavit, between January 1, 2024 and January 18, 2026, around 1,08,300 missing person complaints were registered across Uttar Pradesh. However, police action to trace the missing was taken in only around 9,700 cases.
This means action was taken in less than one out of every ten cases. In the remaining cases, no meaningful steps were recorded. The court said this showed a careless and lazy approach by the police.
Taking note of this, the bench expressed anguish. It described the police response as “lethargic”. The judges said such behavior cannot be accepted, especially when families are waiting for answers.
The court said the issue was not limited to one case or one district. It said the problem was widespread and affected a large number of people across the state. Because of this, the bench decided the matter deserved wider attention.
The judges directed the court registry to convert the case into a public interest litigation. The PIL has been titled “In re: Missing Persons in the State”. This allows the court to look at the issue as a whole and not just one complaint.
The court also said that missing persons cases often involve children, women, and vulnerable people. Delay in action can lead to serious harm. The judges stressed that time is critical in such matters.
They said police officers must treat these cases with urgency and care. Ignoring or delaying action only adds to the suffering of families.
The bench also pointed out that the state has systems and manpower in place. Despite this, the poor response raises serious questions. The court said it wants clear answers and real steps, not excuses.
The matter has now been listed for further hearing on February 5. The court is expected to ask for more details from the state government. It may also issue directions to improve how missing persons cases are handled.
For many families in Uttar Pradesh, the court’s move brings a small sense of hope. Parents, siblings, and relatives often wait for months or even years without updates. Many feel ignored by the system.
The court’s strong words reflect this pain. By taking suo motu action, the judges sent a clear message. Missing persons cases are not routine files. They involve lives, fear, and deep loss.
The coming hearings will show whether the state responds with real change. For now, the court has made it clear. The situation is serious, and it cannot be brushed aside.