In a post on X, Thackeray said the number of children being abducted or going missing in Maharashtra has risen by nearly 30 per cent between 2021 and 2024, according to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data
MNS chief Raj Thackeray. File Pic
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday highlighted the growing menace of child abductions and missing children in the state, urging Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take urgent and concrete action.
In a post on X, Thackeray said the number of children being abducted or going missing in Maharashtra has risen by nearly 30 per cent between 2021 and 2024, according to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data. He expressed concern over inter-state gangs that abduct children, force them into labour, or make them beg, and criticised the government’s perceived inaction.
प्रति,
— Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) December 13, 2025
श्री. देवेंद्र फडणवीस,
मुख्यमंत्री, महाराष्ट्र राज्य,
सस्नेह जय महाराष्ट्र,
एका अत्यंत महत्वाच्या आणि गंभीर विषयाकडे तुमचं लक्ष वेधून घेण्यासाठी हे लिहीत आहे. महाराष्ट्रात लहान मुलं पळवण्याचं, ती बेपत्ता होण्याचं प्रमाण वाढतं आहे. एनसीआरबीच्या आकडेवारीनुसार जरी गेलं…
“Some cases are registered, and official responses often mention children recovered and returned safely. Maharashtra does not need such generic answers,” Thackeray wrote. He questioned how many cases never even reach the police and highlighted the psychological trauma children face even after being rescued.
Thackeray also raised concerns over children seen begging on streets, bus stands, and stations, urging investigations into whether the adults accompanying them are really their parents, and suggesting DNA tests if necessary.
The MNS chief called for legislative discussions on child abductions, missing girls, and illegal land grabs, questioning the effectiveness of the Winter Session if ministers are often absent and critical issues go unaddressed.
He added that the central government should coordinate with states to tackle the problem, but suggested it is currently distracted by other matters. “Maharashtra expects the Chief Minister and Home Minister to pay attention and take concrete steps, not just facilitate a discussion in the assembly,” he said.
Navi Mumbai reports 499 child kidnappings in 11 months; 41 still missing
As many as 499 children were reported kidnapped in Maharashtra's Navi Mumbai township between January and November this year and the police managed to trace 458 of them, while 41 remain missing, officials said on December 3.
Among the 458 recovered children, the reasons for their disappearance indicated more of emotional distress and personal circumstances rather than criminal intent, as 128 of the cases were linked to love affairs and 114 to children running away after being scolded by parents, they said.
Besides, 103 children had gone to relatives, 63 left for trips, and 48 went to a girlfriend's house. One case each involved mental disability and an accidental death report (ADR), a police release said.
Among these overall figures, 25 cases pertained to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, it said.
Between January 1 and November 29 this year, 499 children, including 349 girls, were reported kidnapped in Navi Mumbai. The police traced 458 of them, including 315 girls, the release said.
The 41 children still missing comprise 34 girls and seven boys, it said.
The police registered 483 cases of these child kidnappings and solved 442 of them, achieving a detection rate of 91.78 per cent, as per the data.
The majority of these cases were registered in the Turbhe area (51), followed by Rabale (49), the release added.
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