Following a recent spike in the number of missing children, the Madras High Court has instructed the Government of Tamil Nadu to constitute a special police team to look into the complaints. The court also suggested that a database be created of thumb imprints of newborns to help identify lost babies.

The two-judge bench, consisting of Justices S. Nagamuthu and V. Bharathidasan, heard a PIL filed by an NGO about children who had gone missing. The PIL was filed to draw the court’s attention to the pending cases of missing children. The judges noted that since the police department was already over-worked, the state government should form a special branch to look into the complaints of missing kids.

In addition to ordering a financial assistance of Rs.3 lakhs each to the families whose children continue to remain missing for more than three years, the court also suggested that the thumb impressions of children born in government hospitals be recorded so that they could be used if and when required.