Six teenage girls escaped from a government-run juvenile home in Ulhasnagar, Thane district, on Wednesday afternoon, exploiting a security lapse during the guards’ lunch break. The girls, aged 15 to 17, from Thane areas like Mira-Bhayandar and Mumbai, allegedly obtained the main gate’s key to flee the facility managed by the Women and Child Welfare Department. Police have traced two of the escapees, but four remain at large, prompting a high-priority search operation led by Deputy Police Commissioner Sachin Gore.

The incident, reported on August 28, led to a kidnapping case under Section 137(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Hill Line police station, based on a complaint from the home’s officials. The traced girls, found at their homes in Mira-Bhayandar, told investigators they fled due to their unwillingness to stay at the facility, citing restrictive conditions. Efforts to locate the remaining four continue, with police checking railway stations, bus stands, and routes to their native places.

This escape follows a similar incident in January 2025, when eight girls fled the same home by breaking window bars, with seven later traced. The recurring escapes highlight ongoing security issues, with local activists criticizing inadequate staffing and oversight. The facility, housing minors in conflict with the law or under care, faces scrutiny for failing to address escape attempts, echoing past incidents across India, like nine girls fleeing a Lucknow shelter in 2024. Authorities are now reviewing security protocols to prevent further breaches.

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