The lockdown imposed across the country in an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has separated many from their loved ones. Around 40 rescued children kept at the observation home in Umerkhadi have suffered the same fate. Right before the lockdown, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) had signed off their release, but when all intercity trains were cancelled, they had to stay back at the shelter home.

Rahul Kanthikar, superintendent of the Children's Observation Home, said that while they had released as many as they could, currently, there are 140 children living in the home which includes 26 juvenile criminals or children in conflict with the law. Around 40 such children have been rescued from CSMT and Mumbai Central train stations. They were supposed to go home last month.