Budhia disappearance: report sought

Bhubaneswar, Jul 14 () The

Child Welfare Committee

(

CWC

) today sought a report from the Odisha government on the whereabouts of child marathon wonder

Budhia Singh

, who is reportedly missing since over a month. "We have sought report from the sports hostel in-charge on what steps the authorities have taken to locate

Budhia

Singh. Did the sports hostel authorities lodged a missing report with the police?" asked CWC member Benudhar

Senapati

. Stating that the sports hostel in-charge has been asked to submit a report within three days, Senapati said the boy was lodged at the sports hostel in

Kalinga Stadium

here as per the efforts of the CWC. "Therefore, the CWC has a right to know the condition of Budhia Singh," Senapati told reporters adding that a copy of the notice to hostel in-charge, has also been given to the Director of sports. The

State

government was bearing all costs of Budhia. "His disappearance is a sensitive issue. We have taken cognisance of the matter," Senapati said. Budhia, who went to his mother

Sukanti Singh

's house at

Salia Sahi

in the city slum on May 10 during summer vacation, did not return even though the hostel re-opened on June 4. This apart, Budhia also skipped the DAV School, Chandrasekharpur, where he was a student. While the sports hostel has no information on the whereabouts of Budhia, the boy has taken leave from the school authorities till July 27, officials said. Meanwhile, sports and youth service secretary

Saswat Mishra

on July 8 had said the boy will return within four days. But, he is yet to be traced while there is a buzz in the sports circle Budhia had been to Mumbai to promote the film - "Budhia Singh: Born to run". However, nobody has any specific information regarding Budhia's whereabout. AAM NN SMJ