Police issue appeal over missing girl

Police today appealed for information about a 10-year-old Indian girl who was brought to the UK by her aunt against her parents' wishes and has since disappeared.

Aishley Kapoor has not been seen since 24 April when the girl was dropped off by her foster family at her school in Greenford, west London.

She had been taken from her aunt into care in the UK after her parents appealed to the High Court for their daughter's return.

Police believe she was taken from school by her aunt, Seema Kapoor, 38, whose claims she had adopted the girl were rejected by courts in both India and the UK.

Detective Inspector Sharon Brookes, of the Metropolitan Police's child abuse investigation team, said: "I have no doubt that Aishley is loved by her aunt, but she is also loved by her mother and father.

"The fact Aishley has been taken half way round the world away from them, without their consent or the consent of the Indian courts, has left them devastated.

"Since Aishley was taken in April she does not appear to have had any schooling or access to a doctor.

"Seema loves Aishley and I hope that she would not do her any harm.

"She has gone to these lengths because she wants to be with Aishley, but as things are, this is not giving Aishley the life she deserves.

"A 10-year-old should not be in hiding, she should be making friends, playing, learning and paving the way for her future.

"I appeal to anyone who knows where Seema and Aishley are to contact police."

The aunt took the girl from India in 2007 against her parents' will and in contravention of an Indian court order.

Seema Kapoor had been looking after Aishley while the parents moved around India for the father's work.

The aunt claimed that she had adopted Aishley but there was no proof of this and an interim custody order was granted to her parents by the Indian High Court.

The child remained with the aunt after she appealed against the order with the support of her other brother, Aishley's paternal uncle.

In December 2007 Seema and Aishley flew from India to the UK.

The girl's parents applied to the English High Court on November 26, 2008, for their child to be found and returned.

On December 2, 2008, Aishley was located at an address in the Southall area of west London and taken into the care of local social services.

And on April 3, 2009, the High Court decided she should be returned to India for the court there to decide who she should live with.

The aunt's appeal against this decision, heard by the Court of Appeal on April 23, failed, and the next day Aishley disappeared.

She was dropped off at school by her foster family where she was seen by staff but minutes later she was gone.

Neither she nor her aunt, both now overstayers in the UK, have been seen since.

Detectives urged anyone who believes they know where Aishley or Seema Kapoor may be to call police on 0208 246 1901 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.