Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, Oct 11: In a remarkable breakthrough, a special team of Udupi police has successfully traced a specially-abled boy who had been missing for 14 years from an adoption centre in Udupi.

The boy, Santosh, who was mentally challenged, had gone missing on February 23, 2011, from the Sri Krishnanugraha Adoption Centre in Santhekatte, Udupi, where he was under care. A missing case had been registered at the Udupi Town police station at that time.

To trace the missing child, a special investigation team was formed. After extensive investigation and verification from multiple sources, the team discovered a boy named Bipin, who had been residing since 2018 at the Vijetha Special Children’s School in Karkala. Upon further examination, it was found that Bipin bore a strong resemblance to the missing boy, Santosh.

Police confirmed the boy’s identity after comparing his facial features, estimated age, posture, and overall behaviour. The confirmation was made in the presence of Marina Elizabeth, the complainant, and Shanthi, a senior staff member who had worked at the adoption centre when Santosh went missing. Both identified the boy as Santosh.

As Santosh is mentally challenged, the Udupi District Child Welfare Committee has advised that he continue to stay at the Vijetha Special Children’s School in Karkala until his biological parents are traced.

The successful operation was carried out under the guidance of Udupi DySP Prabhu D T and involved PSIs Sudarshan Dodamani and Eranna Shiragumpi, along with police personnel Imran, Chetan, Santosh Devadiga, and Mallayya Hiremath.