The Kerala High Court has taken a strong stance on the handling of a missing complaint that ended in tragedy, summoning the police officer responsible for the initial investigation and demanding a thorough explanation. The court has directed the officer to appear on Tuesday with the case diary related to both the missing complaint and the subsequent case, as it seeks to determine whether negligence or delays by law enforcement contributed to the devastating outcome.
A division bench of Justices Devan Ramachandran and MB Snehalatha made it clear that they could not simply close the writ petition filed by the deceased girl’s mother just because of her tragic fate. The judges emphasized that the court had a legal and moral obligation to ensure that every aspect of the case was scrutinized to uncover the truth. They stressed that unanswered questions remained, particularly regarding whether a swifter and more proactive response from the police could have altered the course of events. The court’s decision to summon the investigating officer signals its intent to hold authorities accountable for any lapses in their duty.
The case involves the disappearance of a young girl from Paivalike village on February 11. Her family promptly reported her missing the next day at the Kumbala police station. Alongside their complaint, they voiced strong suspicions about their 42-year-old neighbor, Pradeep, who had vanished at the same time. Despite these concerns, the police response appeared sluggish, and the case did not gain urgency. Investigators later discovered that both the girl’s and Pradeep’s mobile phones had been switched off immediately after their disappearance, further deepening suspicions about the circumstances surrounding their vanishing.
Weeks passed with no major breakthroughs, heightening the family’s distress. Then, on Sunday, after 27 days of uncertainty, the case took a grim turn when a massive search operation led by a 52-member police team, along with local residents, uncovered the lifeless bodies of the girl and Pradeep hanging from a tree near her house. The discovery sent shockwaves through the community, raising serious questions about why it had taken so long to locate them, despite repeated pleas from the family.
The girl’s mother, in her petition to the High Court, has alleged that sheer negligence and an apathetic approach from the police directly contributed to her daughter’s tragic end. She argued that if the authorities had acted with urgency when the missing complaint was first filed, the situation could have been handled differently, possibly preventing the fatal outcome. The High Court, acknowledging the gravity of these concerns, has now demanded full disclosure from the investigating officer, including all case-related records and an explanation for the perceived delays in handling the matter.
The case has triggered widespread public outrage, with residents and activists criticizing the police for what they see as a lack of commitment to addressing missing person cases, particularly those involving young girls. The incident has reignited discussions about systemic failures within law enforcement agencies when dealing with urgent cases of disappearances and potential foul play. Many have pointed out that in cases where timely intervention is crucial, police inefficiency can result in irreversible consequences, as seen in this tragic episode.
With the High Court stepping in, attention has now shifted to whether accountability will be established and whether disciplinary action will be taken against any officers found guilty of mishandling the case. Legal experts believe the court’s intervention could have far-reaching implications, potentially setting a precedent for stricter enforcement of police accountability in missing person cases. The judiciary’s involvement is expected to drive a more structured approach to dealing with such sensitive matters, ensuring that families seeking justice do not face bureaucratic delays and negligence.
As the investigation continues, all eyes are on Tuesday’s hearing, where the court will examine the evidence presented by the investigating officer. The proceedings are expected to provide critical insights into whether law enforcement failed in its duty and what steps will be taken to ensure such lapses do not recur in future cases. The High Court’s decision in this case could play a pivotal role in reshaping policies around missing person investigations, compelling police forces to act with greater urgency and accountability.
