Nagpur Girl Missing for 642 Days Found with Husband and Infant in Chhattisgarh

A 16-year-old girl from Nagpur, who had been missing for over 642 days, was recently traced by police in Chhattisgarh, living with her husband and their newborn baby. The case, which had baffled local authorities and deeply affected her family, took a surprising turn as investigators found that she had eloped voluntarily and started a new life away from home.

Disappearance That Shocked the Family
The teenager went missing from her residence in Nagpur’s Gittikhadan area in 2022. A complaint was filed immediately, and the police had initially registered a case of abduction. Despite multiple leads and nationwide alerts, the case went cold for nearly two years, with no trace of the girl’s whereabouts.

Her family had been living in distress, fearing the worst, and had been pressing for updates from law enforcement agencies.

Tracked Down After 21 Months
A recent intelligence tip led police to a remote village in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, where the girl was found living with a man she claimed to have married. The couple now has a two-month-old baby. Officials said she appeared to be mentally and physically stable and willingly left home in 2022 due to personal reasons.

The man, now in his early twenties, is originally from Chhattisgarh and reportedly came in contact with the girl through mutual acquaintances.

Legal Action and Statement Recording
After confirming her identity, Nagpur police brought the girl and her partner back to Maharashtra. She was presented before the Child Welfare Committee, and her statement was recorded under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, since she was a minor when she left.

While the girl maintained that she went with her husband willingly, police are investigating the age gap, consent issues, and whether any laws were violated in the process.

Tier 2 City Concerns Around Safety and Elopement
Incidents like these highlight growing concerns in Tier 2 cities like Nagpur, where teenage elopements, often influenced by social media and limited parental communication, are on the rise. Law enforcement and child welfare groups continue to push for stronger awareness in schools and neighbourhoods to prevent such disappearances.

Local communities also face challenges when legal complexities intersect with evolving adolescent behaviour and early marriages.

Conclusion
While the girl has been found safe, her 642-day disappearance raises critical questions around child protection, communication gaps within families, and the importance of early intervention. As police continue their legal procedures, the case underscores how Tier 2 cities like Nagpur must remain alert and proactive when it comes to missing minors and their recovery.