Bijnor Administration Invites Objections to Provisional Death Declaration of Missing Man
The district administration in Bijnor has taken a significant step by inviting public objections to the provisional declaration of a 30-year-old resident as deceased. This action comes nearly six months after the individual went missing during a devastating natural disaster in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand.
Official Announcement and Submission Details
Bijnor District Magistrate Jasjit Kaur announced that individuals wishing to submit evidence or statements regarding this case may do so within a 30-day window. The submission period begins on February 15, 2026, and will be open on any working day between 10:30 am and 5:00 pm at the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate.
Background of the Missing Person Case
The individual in question, Yogesh Kumar, was a resident of Mukeempur Dharmsi village. He went missing after a sudden and severe flash flood struck Dharali village in Bhatwari tehsil of Uttarkashi on August 5 last year. Initial reports from the disaster confirmed at least four fatalities, with more than 50 people remaining unaccounted for to this day.
Legal Proceedings and Family Actions
Yogesh's father, Lekhraj Kumar, took formal action by filing a First Information Report (FIR) at the Harsil police station on September 10, 2025. Following this, the case progressed through official channels in accordance with established legal protocols.
Government Directives and Legal Framework
The district magistrate of Uttarkashi issued an endorsement declaring Yogesh deceased on February 4, 2026. This decision was made under the legal provision known as "Presumption of Death," which is applied in cases where individuals have been missing for extended periods under circumstances that strongly suggest fatality.
The declaration follows specific guidelines issued by the Registrar General of India and directives from the Uttarakhand government's Medical Health and Medical Education Section-1. These frameworks provide the necessary legal basis for such provisional declarations when individuals disappear during catastrophic events like natural disasters.
Importance of the Objection Period
The 30-day objection period serves a crucial purpose in the legal process. It allows any party with relevant information or evidence to come forward before the provisional declaration becomes final. This ensures transparency and provides an opportunity for any contrary evidence to be considered before official records are updated.
This case highlights the complex administrative and legal procedures involved when individuals go missing during natural calamities. The "Presumption of Death" provision represents an important legal mechanism for bringing closure to families while maintaining proper procedural safeguards through objection periods like the one currently underway in Bijnor.
