TV
A minor girl, who had earlier been rescued from an abduction case, has now gone missing from the Sakhi Centre in Jagatsinghpur, prompting her father to lodge a written complaint with the district Superintendent of Police.
The girl, a resident of Jagannathpur area under Raghunathpur police station in Jagatsinghpur, was initially abducted in March 2024 by a woman, her son and some associates, as per her father’s earlier FIR at Raghunathpur police station.
Initially, the family alleged police inaction and subsequently petitioned the Chief Minister’s Office, after which instructions were issued to local police.
Following this, Raghunathpur police traced the abductors and rescued the girl. The accused youth was arrested and later produced before the Court. The girl was then rehabilitated at the government-supported Sakhi Centre at Jagatsinghpur for shelter and care.
Girl Missing Since June
When the father recently went to meet his daughter at the centre, he was informed by the Child Development Committee chairperson and Sakhi Centre authorities that the girl had gone missing from the facility since June 21, 2024.
"My daughter is being kidnapped repeatedly. Following an earlier rescue, she was kept at the Sakhi Centre for about eight to ten days. They called me and asked me to take her back as she showed signs of normalcy. When I reached there, they told me that my daughter had not been traceable since June. I have therefore filed a written complaint before the Jagatsinghpur SP,” the father alleged.
Sakhi Centre’s Version
Sakhi Centre in-charge Purnachandra Mall stated that the girl went missing after stepping out, reportedly to relieve herself. He ruled out any possible negligence on the part of the centre.
“We searched the surroundings but could not find her. Finally, we informed the Jagatsinghpur police station about the incident,” Mall said.
Meanwhile, the disappearance of a minor survivor from a government-aided rehabilitation and protection facility has raised serious questions over the safety and management of such centres.
As of the last reports, police officials were to trace the girl or offer any comments on the matter.
