HC Warns of CBI Takeover
Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court reprimanded state police on Thursday for failing to find an 18-year-old girl missing from Bokaro. Citing serious delays and a lack of progress, a Division Bench led by Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad questioned the Bokaro Superintendent of Police (SP) on why the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should not take over the case.
The court expressed deep dissatisfaction with the probe’s direction, stating it will not tolerate negligence in sensitive matters. The Bench noted that the police have failed to produce tangible results despite months of investigation.
Key Details of the Case
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The Disappearance: The girl went missing on July 31, 2025.
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Initial Action: Police registered an FIR (Case No. 147/2025) at the Pindrajora Police Station.
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The Lead: On December 11, 2025, the family received a call suggesting the girl was in Pune.
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The Lapse: Police detained the caller, but the suspect escaped custody while officers escorted him to Pune by train.
Police Defense and Court Warning
Appearing virtually, the Bokaro SP informed the court that teams have conducted multiple raids in Pune and nearby regions. He added that officers have detained another suspect and plan to conduct a narco-analysis test to generate new leads.
The Bench remained unconvinced, citing a 2020 Bokaro case where a missing woman was eventually found murdered. The court emphasized the need for urgency and accountability, warning that it will transfer the investigation to the CBI if the police fail to show satisfactory progress soon.
