Jharkhand High Court Demands Answers from Bokaro SP in Missing Girl Case
In a stern move, the Jharkhand High Court on Friday sharply criticized the Bokaro Superintendent of Police (SP) for the inability to trace an 18-year-old female who has been missing since July 31 last year. The court expressed deep concern over the lack of progress in the investigation, highlighting the urgency of the matter.
Habeas Corpus Petition and Court Proceedings
A division bench comprising Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Arun Kumar Rai was presiding over a habeas corpus petition filed by the girl's mother, seeking her daughter's recovery. During the hearing, the court ordered the Bokaro SP to appear via online mode and subjected him to rigorous questioning regarding the steps taken to locate the missing individual.
The bench directed the SP to submit a comprehensive report detailing all investigative efforts undertaken so far, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. This report must be presented before the court, with the next hearing scheduled for March 19 to review the findings.
Investigation Details and Police Efforts
In the course of arguments, police officials informed the court that the victim's mother received a phone call on December 11 last year from an unidentified person claiming the girl was in Pune. Law enforcement traced this call and subsequently arrested a male suspect in connection with the case.
A police team was formed and dispatched to Pune, accompanied by the girl's father, in an attempt to locate her. However, upon arrival, it was discovered that the girl and her male companion had already vacated the premises, evading capture. This development has further complicated the investigation, raising questions about the efficiency of the police response.
Legal Context and Implications
The court's intervention underscores the critical role of habeas corpus petitions in safeguarding individual liberties, particularly in cases involving missing persons. The failure to produce the girl despite leads has prompted judicial scrutiny, with the bench demanding swift action to resolve the matter.
This case highlights ongoing challenges in law enforcement coordination and resource allocation in missing persons investigations, especially in regions like Jharkhand. The upcoming hearing on March 19 will be pivotal in assessing whether adequate measures have been implemented to ensure the girl's safe return.
