Jharkhand HC Orders Narco Test for Accused in Missing Girl Case

Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court has ordered a narco analysis for Dinesh Mahto, the prime accused in the disappearance of an 18-year-old girl from Bokaro. The court demanded a full report on the test results within two weeks.

Court Reprimands Police for Investigation Lapses

A division bench, comprising Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Deepak Roshan, slammed the police for “delays and lapses” after reviewing the case diary. The Bokaro Superintendent of Police (SP) appeared in person to explain the investigation’s slow progress.

Key points of contention raised by the bench:

• The Registration Gap: The girl went missing on July 27, 2025, but police only filed an FIR on August 4—a 10-day delay the state counsel could not justify.

• Escaped Suspect: In December 2025, a suspect named Loknath Mahto escaped police custody while being transported by train from Pune.

• Negligence: The Bokaro SP confirmed he issued a show-cause notice to the Pindrajora Police Station Officer-in-Charge for mishandling the case.

High Stakes and Potential CBI Takeover

The bench drew parallels to a 2020 Bokaro case where a missing woman’s murder only surfaced a year later due to police inaction. The High Court warned that if local authorities continue to falter, it will consider handing the investigation over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).