Nagpur: In a focused effort to trace missing women and children, Nagpur City Police has launched Operation Shodh (Search), a city-wide search campaign to be conducted from April 17 to May 15, 2025. The initiative comes in response to alarming statistics from the 2022 report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which ranks Maharashtra second in the country for missing women cases and first for missing children.

Following directives issued by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra during a senior police officials’ crime conference in March 2025, special attention is being given to long-pending cases involving women who have been missing for over a year. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for proactive and intensified efforts to locate them.

Under the guidance of Police Commissioner Dr. Ravinder Kumar Singal, dedicated teams have been appointed at each sub-divisional level across the city. These teams comprise one police officer and three constables, including a woman constable. Additionally, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of the Crime Branch will be actively involved in the operation.

The campaign is being implemented under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection) Rahul Makanikar and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Abhijit Patil.

Nagpur City Police has appealed to the public for assistance. Citizens are urged to report any unknown, suspicious, or abandoned women and children immediately by calling Dial 112 or contacting PI Todase of the AHTU at 9923198606. Information can also be shared with the nearest police station.

This public-participation-driven initiative aims to reunite missing individuals with their families and curb incidents of human trafficking in the city.