UP Woman Calls Police to Find ‘Missing Child’ in Drain to Get it Cleaned
A false emergency call about a child falling into a drain in Meerut led authorities to clean a long-neglected nala, sparking debate over civic neglect and misuse of police resources.
On 3 February 2026, an unusual incident in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, caught the attention of social media users across the country.
A woman called the police claiming that her child had fallen into an open drain (nala). After receiving the call, the police and municipal workers immediately reached the spot and started a large search operation.
Heavy machines were brought in to open the drain. Workers entered the dirty water and garbage to search for the child. The drain was extremely filthy and had reportedly not been cleaned for several years. It was also badly clogged.
For nearly three hours, officials searched the entire drain. During this rescue operation, all the garbage and waste inside the drain were cleared. Videos showed workers digging through the waste while local residents stood nearby and recorded the scene.
However, after the entire drain was cleaned, no child was found. Officials then realised that there was no missing child at all.
Soon, many people began suggesting that the woman may have made a false complaint to force the authorities to clean the drain. Local residents said they had been requesting the administration for years to clean the clogged drain, but no action was taken. They were worried about health risks and possible accidents.
The incident has divided public opinion. Some people criticised the woman for raising a false alarm, saying it could have wasted police time and resources. Others said the incident shows how helpless citizens feel when basic civic problems are ignored for years.
Many also expressed concern that such fake emergency calls could reduce the seriousness with which authorities respond to real emergencies in the future.
The incident has started a wider discussion about poor sanitation, lack of accountability, and weak infrastructure in Indian cities. According to a 2022 report by the National Institute of Urban Affairs, 60 to 80 percent of drains in many cities, including tier-two cities like Meerut, remain partially or fully clogged due to shortage of funds, weak monitoring, and poor maintenance.
The matter has once again highlighted the need for regular cleaning of drains and better civic management to avoid such situations.
