Gujarat Police Reunite 500 Missing Persons With Families in Just 10 Days

GANDHINAGAR : In a major boost to Gujarat’s efforts to trace missing persons, the state police have successfully reunited 500 missing children and adults with their families in just 10 days under the extended phase of Operation Milap. The remarkable achievement includes the rescue of a 14-year-old girl from Vadodara who was found nearly 1,200 kilometres away in Karnataka after months of investigation, bringing relief to hundreds of families across the state.

The statewide campaign, launched under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, was initially conducted from May 7 to June 5 to trace missing persons. Following its overwhelming success, the operation was extended for another 10 days, from June 12 to June 21, resulting in another 500 successful reunions.

One of the most significant rescues involved a 14-year-old girl from Vadodara’s Chhani area who had been missing since December 18, 2025. After months of investigation yielded no breakthrough, the case was transferred to the Vadodara Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU).

Using technical surveillance and intelligence inputs, investigators tracked the accused, Sunilkumar Kesarisinh Bariya, to Shivamogga in Karnataka. Police said the accused had allegedly lured the minor girl away, later assuming a new identity after completing a Purohitya course in Jaipur. He reportedly began working as a priest at a Jain temple in Shivamogga and falsely introduced the girl as his wife while keeping her confined there.

A five-member AHTU team, including a woman police officer, travelled to Karnataka and maintained surveillance on the temple for two days despite heavy rainfall. On the third day, at around 4 a.m., the team arrested the accused as he arrived at the temple. Based on his interrogation, the officers rescued the girl safely and reunited her with her family.

“The extended phase of Operation Milap has been highly successful. During the 10-day drive, Gujarat Police traced 500 missing children and adults and reunited them with their families,” said Additional Director General of Police (Women Cell, CID Crime), Ajay Choudhary.

According to official figures, those traced during the extended campaign included 288 women, 88 girls, 21 boys and 103 men, offering relief to hundreds of anxious families.

The success builds on the achievements of the month-long Operation Milap, during which Gujarat Police traced 1,478 missing persons, including 857 women and 234 minor girls.

Officials said the campaign reflects the Gujarat Police’s growing emphasis on technology-driven investigations, inter-state coordination and swift action against human trafficking and crimes involving vulnerable individuals. With hundreds of families reunited, Operation Milap has emerged as one of the state’s most impactful policing initiatives aimed at restoring hope and ensuring the safe return of missing persons.