Uttar Pradesh High Court Takes Strong Stance on Missing Minors

High Court's Firm Action on Rising Cases of Missing Minors

In Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, the Allahabad High Court has adopted a stringent approach regarding the increasing incidents of missing and abducted minor girls. The court expressed serious concerns over the police's operational methods and issued strict directives to senior officials to ensure effective and timely monitoring of such cases.

The court ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) to submit a detailed report within three days and instructed all station heads, circle officers, and investigating officers under their jurisdiction to appear in court for the next hearing.

Next Hearing Scheduled

The next hearing is set for June 10. Justice Praveen Kumar Giri also sought clarification from the Lucknow Police Commissioner regarding similar incidents reported at various police stations in the city. The court emphasized that the police must operate with heightened vigilance and accountability in matters concerning the lives and freedoms of minor girls.

Police Report on Abductions

During the proceedings, the Deputy Commissioner of Police submitted a personal affidavit revealing that nine police stations under their supervision reported 81 cases of abduction or enticement involving women and girls, most of whom were minors. Out of these, 66 have been recovered, while 15 girls remain missing.

The court instructed the DCP to identify cases that have not been reported to the police and to present a comprehensive report on them. Additionally, it mandated that competent officers be deployed where necessary and ensured that station heads, outpost heads, and investigating officers take such cases seriously.

Court's Displeasure Over Police Negligence

These directives were issued during the hearing of a habeas corpus petition concerning a 12-year-old girl who had been missing from the BBD police station area for nearly four months. Following the court's intervention, the police finally recovered the girl and presented her in court. When asked by the court, the girl expressed her desire to go with her father, leading the honorable court to grant custody to him.

The court expressed deep dissatisfaction with the conduct of Sub-Inspector Ashwani Kumar Rai, the investigating officer in this case, criticizing his failure to follow proper procedures and make timely efforts to locate the girl.

Future Measures for Sensitive Cases

The court has ordered the deployment of competent officials at police stations and outposts to ensure that sensitive cases are handled with the utmost seriousness in the future.