Jharkhand Governor's Office Demands Police Action on Missing Children Cases
The Governor's office in Ranchi has taken a firm stance on the alarming issue of missing children in Jharkhand. On Wednesday, the Lok Bhawan dispatched a formal letter to Director General of Police Tadasha Mishra, demanding comprehensive details and expedited investigations into all pending cases of missing minors across the state.
Growing Concern Over Media Reports and Court Directives
This decisive move follows persistent media reports highlighting the regular disappearance of children, particularly girls, and comes in direct response to recent directives from the Jharkhand High Court. The court has been actively hearing cases related to two missing children from Bokaro and Gumla districts, where it has openly criticized police for alleged laxity and inadequate investigative efforts.
The letter, authored by Additional Chief Secretary to Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Nitin Kulkarni, states clearly: "Reports about missing minors in the state are surfacing regularly and police are charged of not taking timely action to crack those, which is a serious concern." It mandates a special, priority-based review of all such cases district-wise, with updated details of pending investigations to be submitted to the Governor's office promptly.
High Court's Stern Actions and Police Accountability
The judicial pressure on this issue has been mounting. Just over a week ago, the High Court delivered a scathing rebuke to Bokaro police based on a habeas corpus petition filed by the mother of an 18-year-old girl who went missing earlier this year. The court's intervention led to the recovery of what are believed to be the girl's skeletal remains and the arrest of her ex-boyfriend on murder charges.
In a significant disciplinary action, the entire staff of the Pindrajora police station was suspended for their failure in conducting a proper probe. The court has further ordered DNA testing on the recovered skeleton to confirm the identity.
Adding to the scrutiny, on Monday, the High Court reprimanded Gumla police for their inability to trace a minor girl who has been missing since 2016, despite a complaint from her family. The court has given the police a strict two-week deadline to locate the girl, warning that failure to do so could result in the case being transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Governor's Directives and Priority on Child Safety
The Governor's office has emphasized that the safety of every child, especially girls, must be the state's highest priority. The letter explicitly directs that individuals involved in crimes against children must be held accountable and face strict legal consequences.
"The safety of every kid, specially the girl child, should be the highest priority of the state," the communication asserts, noting that the Governor's office has recently received several memoranda concerning the disappearance of minor girls, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Currently, Bokaro police remain under the High Court's scrutiny for their perceived negligence in investigating the case of another 18-year-old girl who vanished in July of the previous year. This series of judicial criticisms and the Governor's proactive intervention highlight a systemic call for improved police responsiveness and thoroughness in handling cases of missing children across Jharkhand.
