Jharkhand High Court Criticizes Police Inaction in Missing Girl Case, Mulls CBI Transfer
The Jharkhand High Court delivered a sharp rebuke to the Bokaro Superintendent of Police on Thursday for the failure to trace an 18-year-old girl who has been missing since July 2025. A division bench comprising Justices Sujit Narayan Prasad and Sanjay Prasad raised serious questions about the investigation's progress and explicitly considered whether the case should be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Details of the Missing Person Petition
The court was hearing a petition filed by Rekha Devi, who reported her daughter missing. The FIR was registered at the Pindrajoda Police Station in Bokaro, but the bench observed that no concrete steps have been taken to recover the victim despite the significant passage of time.
The Bokaro SP, appearing via virtual mode, informed the court that police teams have conducted raids at various locations in Bokaro in an effort to locate the girl. One individual has been arrested in connection with the case, and a narco analysis test is pending for this suspect.
Failed Leads and Police Lapses
In a troubling development, the SP revealed that Rekha Devi received a call on December 11 stating her daughter was in Pune. A police team, accompanied by the victim's father, traveled to Pune but was unable to locate the girl. Instead, they apprehended the person who made the call to the mother.
However, this individual managed to escape from police custody while being transported to Bokaro, highlighting further lapses in the investigation. The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 20 to review progress.
Broader Pattern of Missing Persons in Bokaro
During the proceedings, the bench noted a deeply concerning pattern in Bokaro district. They referenced another case where a girl went missing in 2020. By 2021, it was discovered she had been murdered, yet her body has never been found.
The judges emphasized that such instances of victims becoming completely traceless represent a very serious failure of the justice and investigative systems. This context amplified their criticism of the current handling of Rekha Devi's daughter's disappearance.
Separate High Court Order: Non-Bailable Warrant Issued
In a related development from the same court session, the Jharkhand High Court issued a non-bailable warrant against Mohammed Abdul Hakim. This action followed his failure to appear before the court as previously ordered in a separate missing person case filed by Akhtari Khatoon, concerning her missing son.
The division bench directed the Chatra Superintendent of Police to arrest Hakim and ensure his production before the court on April 1. This parallel case underscores the judiciary's growing impatience with delays and non-compliance in serious investigations involving missing individuals.
The court's stern stance in both matters signals a heightened judicial scrutiny over police efficiency and procedural adherence in missing person investigations across Jharkhand.
