In the first quarter of 2025, more than 4,100 people went missing in Haryana, that is, on average, more than 45 people are going missing every day. During this period, more than a thousand kidnapping cases have been registered. The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of the missing and kidnapping cases and has sought a report from the Director General of Police in 8 weeks.
As per the order of the full commission headed by Justice Lalit Batra, the issue of missing persons is not limited to statistics only. It reflects profound human suffering and distress. The families of missing persons have to face severe mental trauma, especially when they do not even have information on whether their loved ones are alive or not. Problems such as mental stress, depression and deterioration in mental health arising from this confusion persist for a long time. Even when the missing persons are found, it is not easy for them and their families to return to normal life.
Additionally, the Haryana Human Rights Commission cannot ignore that missing persons are highly vulnerable to exploitation and criminal activities. Reports and anecdotal incidents show that women, children, and people belonging to economically weaker sections in particular fall prey to criminal activities such as human trafficking, bonded labour, sexual exploitation and illegal organ trade. In many cases, disappearances turn into ransom murders or other serious crimes. Failure of law enforcement agencies to take timely and effective action encourages organised crime, creating fear and law and order crisis in the society.