In a recent hearing regarding the prolonged disappearance of a young girl, the Jharkhand High Court has ordered the removal of a police station’s officer in charge. This decision was made against the backdrop of reported police misconduct towards the girl’s family, despite a previous court directive prohibiting such actions.
The case involves a minor girl who has been missing since July 21, 2025, in the Bokaro district. The girl’s mother reported to the police that her daughter left home to submit an online form but did not return. Although the mother approached the authorities on the same day her daughter went missing, it wasn’t until August 4 that a First Information Report (FIR) was filed, according to the family’s lawyer, Vincent Rohit Marki.
The mother expressed her frustration, stating that after her daughter failed to return by evening, the family searched for her among friends and relatives. They reported to the police that night, but she claimed the officers initially refused to file a report. “They warned us that naming a suspect could lead to jail time if the girl wasn’t found with him,” she alleged, asserting that the family faced intimidation when attempting to lodge their complaint.
Finally, an FIR was registered on August 4, naming a local youth as the suspect, whom the family believed had a prior relationship with the girl. The mother claimed that her daughter had rejected the youth’s marriage proposal, as the family had arranged for her to marry someone else in the near future.
In December 2025, the family was contacted by an anonymous individual claiming to know the girl’s whereabouts in Pune. “He mentioned it was a serious issue but promised to bring her back,” the mother recounted. Almost a month later, police identified the caller, Loknath Mahato, and detained him, but he escaped while being transported to Pune.
The girl’s father, who was accompanying police to Pune, expressed uncertainty about whether Mahato had fled or was allowed to escape. The mother further alleged that during the police’s pursuit in Pune, her husband was left waiting at the railway station while officers followed leads. Additionally, she claimed that during the trip, her husband’s phone, which contained vital recordings related to the case, was stolen.
Despite these developments, the mother lamented that there had been no significant progress in locating her daughter, and the main suspect remained at large. She also expressed concern over police harassment of their relatives, citing an incident where a family member was allegedly picked up and assaulted by police. “He was interrogated, beaten, and threatened,” she said, questioning the police’s seriousness in handling their case.
The situation intensified earlier this month when the police allegedly detained another relative of the girl’s family, prompting the court to instruct on April 7 that no coercive measures should be taken against the petitioner or her family. However, according to the family’s lawyer, another relative was apprehended by police on Thursday morning.
An affidavit detailing these allegations was submitted to the court. During the proceedings, the Director General of Police (DGP) appeared virtually and informed the court that the detained relative had since been released. The court was also notified that a one-man committee, led by a DIG-ranked officer, has been established to investigate the matter, with findings to be reported back to the court. However, when reached for comment, DGP Tadasha Mishra stated she had no updates on the case.
The court’s order included the removal of the officer in charge of the local police station, although no formal suspension was implemented. The next hearing for this case is set for April 15.
Shubham Tigga serves as a correspondent for The Indian Express and is currently located in Pune, where he covers issues at the intersection of infrastructure, labor, and the contemporary economy. His reporting encompasses civil aviation, urban mobility, the gig economy, and labor unions, providing essential insights into the effects of transit and commercial sectors on everyday life.
Prior to his move to Pune, Tigga reported extensively from Chhattisgarh, focusing on Indigenous issues, environmental justice, and grassroots movements in India. This background offers him a unique perspective on how large-scale infrastructure projects impact local communities.
He is a graduate of the renowned Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), where he developed his expertise in investigative and ethical journalism. His academic training, combined with his field experience in Central India, enables him to navigate complex socio-economic issues with depth and precision.
For professional inquiries, he can be reached on LinkedIn.
