Himachal Police Brings Missing Bishop Cotton School Boys Home Safely

Sunil Chadha

Shimla —In a rapid and coordinated rescue operation, Himachal Pradesh Police traced and recovered three missing students from Shimla’s prestigious Bishop Cotton School within 24 hours of their disappearance.

The incident came to light when Bishop Cotton’s Headmaster, Mathew P. John, lodged a written complaint at Police Station New Shimla, reporting that three boys had gone missing from the school premises. Acting immediately, police registered a case (FIR No. 20/2025) under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which deals with the wrongful concealment or enticement of a child.

The Chase Begins

Multiple police teams were formed, and CCTV footage from key locations in Shimla was painstakingly reviewed. According to officials, the trail eventually led investigators towards the Kotkhai area, a hilly region roughly 60 km from the state capital, known for its apple orchards and remote villages.

Acting on “specific and credible inputs,” the search teams located the boys in a private residence near Kotkhai earlier today. Police confirmed that the students were safe and have since been reunited with the school authorities.

No Details on Motive Yet

While police have not disclosed why the boys left school or how they reached Kotkhai, sources close to the investigation say the focus remains on ensuring their well-being and speaking to them in a safe environment before determining next steps.

Commendation for Quick Action

Praising the swift recovery, DGP Ashok Tewari, IPS, said,

“Congratulations to SSP Shimla and the entire Shimla Police team for their dedication and hard work. This success reflects the new face of Himachal Pradesh Police, where every rank works together to deliver swift and effective results.”

Bishop Cotton School’s Standing

Founded in 1859, Bishop Cotton School is among Asia’s oldest boarding schools, with a long tradition of producing leaders in politics, the armed forces, and business. Known for its strict discipline and academic excellence, the institution rarely finds itself in the news for missing students, making this case an unusual and high-profile incident in the city.

A Model of Coordinated Policing

The Himachal Pradesh Police’s rapid response—combining technology, field intelligence, and inter-department cooperation—has been hailed as a model approach for missing person cases in the state.

Officials say further inquiries will determine whether anyone was involved in sheltering the students unlawfully. For now, the priority remains their safe reintegration into school life.