Alarming rise in child kidnappings in Karnataka: Over 14,800 cases in five years

Government data reveals Bengaluru alone accounts for 4,849 cases, while 1,336 children across the state remain untraced.

Shocking official data released by the government has revealed a grave child safety crisis in Karnataka, with 14,878 children kidnapped across the state in the last five years, between 2020 and July 2025. Of these, Bengaluru alone accounts for 4,849 cases, highlighting the seriousness of the issue in the capital.

According to government records, 10,792 minor girls and 4,086 boys were kidnapped during this period. While 9,789 of the abducted girls were traced, 1,003 minor girls are still missing, and their fate remains unknown. Among the 4,086 kidnapped boys, 3,753 have been rescued, while 333 are still untraceable.

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In total, 13,542 out of 14,878 abducted children have been traced, but 1,336 children remain missing, raising serious concerns among families, law enforcement agencies, and child rights activists. The lack of information about the whereabouts of these missing children has intensified fears and anxiety.

Officials confirmed that several missing children cases remain unsolved, with no clear leads despite continuous investigation efforts. The data indicates that a significant number of children vanish without leaving any trail, making recovery operations extremely challenging.

The figures, officially released by the government, have sparked renewed demands for stronger surveillance, faster investigation processes, inter-state coordination, and better preventive systems. Child welfare organisations have stressed the need for enhanced public awareness, community vigilance, and strict monitoring at transit points to curb child trafficking and abduction.

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