Jharkhand High Court Demands Accountability in Bokaro Missing Girl Case
The Jharkhand High Court has issued a stern directive to the Bokaro Superintendent of Police (SP) concerning the investigation into the disappearance of an 18-year-old girl from Bokaro, who has been missing since July 2025. In a significant development on Friday, the court mandated the SP to furnish the complete case diary and comprehensive details of all investigative steps undertaken by the police force to trace the missing minor.
Court Sets Deadline for Police Explanation
The bench, comprising Justices Sujit Narayan Prasad and Sanjay Prasad, has ordered the Bokaro SP to be physically present in court on March 23 to provide a thorough explanation for what the court described as a considerable delay in the police investigation. The court explicitly cautioned that if the investigation is found to be perfunctory or lacking in diligence, the matter could be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a more rigorous probe.
Background of the Missing Person Case
The case came to light through a petition filed by Rekha Devi, the mother of the missing victim. She informed the High Court that her daughter has been missing since July 31, 2025. Despite registering a First Information Report (FIR) at the Pindrajoda Police Station in Bokaro, there has been no trace of the girl for over seven months, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of the police response.
Investigation Delays and Police Accountability
During the hearing, it was revealed that the police took 10 days to register the FIR after the girl was reported missing. The bench directly questioned the SP regarding what disciplinary action has been taken against the officer in charge of the police station for this unacceptable delay in lodging the FIR. The court emphasized that such delays can critically compromise investigation outcomes and victim safety.
The High Court has directed the SP to provide a detailed account of all steps taken by the police since the FIR was lodged. This includes:
- Specific investigative actions undertaken to locate the missing girl.
- Measures implemented to follow up on leads and evidence.
- Coordination with other law enforcement agencies if applicable.
- Any challenges or obstacles encountered during the investigation.
Next Steps and Judicial Oversight
The case is scheduled for further hearing on March 23, where the Bokaro SP must present the required documents and provide a verbal explanation. The court's intervention highlights the judiciary's role in ensuring police accountability and thoroughness in missing person cases, particularly when involving vulnerable minors. This directive serves as a reminder to law enforcement agencies across Jharkhand about the imperative of timely and effective action in such critical matters.
