According to information available from various police cases, around 14 incidents involving missing girls, including several minors, were reported between late April and early June.
The issue prompted Punjab State Women Commission Chairperson Raj Lali Gill to seek a report from Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma.
The disappearance of multiple girls and young women from different parts of Ludhiana within a span of just over a month has raised concerns over their safety and the pace of the police response, with the issue drawing the attention of the Punjab State Women’s Commission.
According to information available from various police cases, around 14 incidents involving missing girls, including several minors, were reported between late April and early June. The cases involve girls who allegedly failed to return home after leaving for school, work, training centres, or other routine activities, leaving families searching for answers.
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One of the most discussed incidents involved three minor cousins from Ludhiana’s Jamalpur area who went missing together in May. Police later said the girls had been traced and recovered safely. In another case, a 16-year-old domestic worker reportedly disappeared while returning home after work. Separately, an 18-year-old girl from the Salem Tabri area allegedly went missing after leaving home for school-related work and did not return.
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Family members, in some cases, have alleged delays in police action. Relatives of one missing girl claimed they initially faced difficulties in getting a case registered after authorities reportedly treated the matter as one involving an adult who had left on her own. An FIR was later registered.
The issue prompted Punjab State Women Commission Chairperson Raj Lali Gill to seek a report from Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma. In a communication to the police, the Commission described the matter as serious and sought a detailed inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the disappearances.
The Commission also took suo motu cognisance of the issue and expressed concern that multiple missing-girl cases within a short period had raised questions regarding women’s safety and law-and-order management. A report was sought from the police regarding the status of investigations and recovery efforts.
However, the development attracted further attention after the Women’s Commission removed a social media post that had shared details of the notice and photographs of some of the missing girls. The post was deleted hours later, and a video carrying the police version of events was subsequently shared, leading to fresh public discussion about the handling of the matter.
Responding to concerns, Ludhiana Police rejected claims that an unusually large number of girls had disappeared from the city. ADCP Ramandeep Singh Bhullar said misleading narratives were being circulated on social media and maintained that 10 cases involving missing minor girls had been registered during May within the Commissionerate limits.
Police said FIRs were registered promptly upon receiving information and that efforts were underway to trace all missing persons. Authorities also stated that some girls had already been located safely and reunited with their families, while investigations in the remaining cases continued.
The issue has also drawn political attention. Among those expressing concern was Jai Inder Kaur, who called for a high-level probe under the supervision of the Punjab DGP and said the safety of girls should remain a matter of utmost priority. Meanwhile, families of those still untraced continue to await answers as police investigations progress.
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