The Jharkhand High Court is taking a firm stand against the rising menace of missing children, instructing both state and central authorities to develop an SOP for leveraging Aadhaar information in searches. This stems from a prolonged case involving a girl missing since 2018 from Gumla, where her mother filed a habeas corpus writ.
Thursday’s hearing before Justices Sujit Narayan Prasad and AK Rai delved deep into the investigation status. The bench grilled state officials, including Gumla’s DSP and the head of the Anti-Human Trafficking station, who briefed the court on recent developments.
According to the government, the FIR is in place post the mother’s application, with active probing underway. A dedicated SIT was swiftly constituted due to the severity. Team members scoured possible hideouts in Delhi, while the girl’s image was disseminated across platforms for public assistance. Yet, the trail remains cold, fueling an ongoing manhunt.
Highlighting tech’s untapped potential, the court advocated for standardized protocols on Aadhaar data usage. Such guidelines would streamline efforts for law enforcement, ensuring compliance with privacy laws and boosting recovery rates.
Earlier sessions saw the court lambast the state on child smuggling networks, itinerant community monitoring lapses, and sluggish policing. It reiterated that no leniency can be afforded in these matters, urging comprehensive strategies. The court now expects a comprehensive update on progress, signaling zero tolerance for delays.