The Supreme Court on Tuesday (February 10, 2026) directed the Centre to investigate whether missing children cases in India are part of a nationwide network or state-specific groups. The Bench of Justices B.V. Nagrathna and Ujjal Bhuyan stressed the need to determine if there is a clear pattern or if these incidents are random. The court asked the Centre to collect data from all states. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the court some states have submitted data on missing children and prosecutions, but around a dozen states have yet to provide their information. She said a proper analysis can only happen once the government receives complete data. The Bench said, "We want to know whether there is a nationwide network or state-specific group behind these incidents where children go missing. Is it a pattern or just a random incident?" It also suggested interviewing children who have been rescued to identify responsible parties. The court criticized states that failed to submit data and warned it may issue strict orders if needed. Senior advocate Aparna Bhatt appreciated the Centre's initiative and asked for clear directions to ensure all states submit data. The court was hearing a PIL filed by NGO Guria Swayam Sevi Sansthan highlighting many children remain untraced nationwide. In December, the court had directed the Centre to provide six years of missing children data and appoint a dedicated officer in the Home Ministry for coordination with states. It also ordered all states and Union Territories to appoint nodal officers for missing children cases and upload details on the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s portal. Last November, the court expressed concern over reports of a child missing every eight minutes in India. It commented that the complex adoption process often drives people toward illegal means to get children. The court had earlier asked the Centre to create an online portal under the Home Ministry to trace missing children and improve investigations, pointing out the lack of police coordination across states. The NGO's petition cited cases in Uttar Pradesh where minor children were kidnapped and trafficked to states like Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The Supreme Court’s continued push aims to bring clarity and ensure stronger action against child trafficking networks.