Court warns of possible CBI probe if investigation fails to improve
Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court on Friday strongly criticised the handling of a missing minor girl case by Bokaro police, expressing serious concern over the lack of progress in the investigation even after five years.
A division bench comprising Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Sanjay Prasad made sharp oral observations while hearing a petition related to the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl in 2020. The court questioned why Bokaro police repeatedly fail to make progress in cases involving missing girls and women.
The bench also raised concerns over the functioning of both former and current Superintendents of Police in Bokaro, along with the concerned DSP.
Observing that police themselves suspect the possibility of abduction, the court said no proper investigation had been carried out from that angle. Calling the probe unsatisfactory, the court directed the CID to submit a progress report within three weeks.
The High Court further warned that if there is no visible improvement in the investigation, it may consider handing over the case jointly to state agencies and the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The bench noted that despite an FIR being lodged in 2020, the police have failed to trace the minor girl so far. It also pointed out that while narco tests were earlier proposed for three suspects, one of them was later exempted on health grounds.
The court observed that after making no breakthrough for years, the police suddenly transferred the case to the CID in April 2026, apparently to cover up lapses in the investigation.
The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for June 8. On the same day, another petition related to the disappearance of an 18-year-old girl from Bokaro will also be heard.
According to petitioner’s counsel Vincent Rohit Markey, there has been no trace of the minor girl even after five years. Four suspects were initially detained in connection with the case registered at Pindrajora police station, but were later released.
Frustrated over the lack of progress in the investigation, the girl’s mother approached the High Court seeking intervention, following which the court took a strict stance on the matter.
With inputs from IANS