SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, April 16: Delivering strong observations on the role of courts in criminal justice, the Jharkhand High Court said that a court is a “search engine of truth” and must make every effort to uncover facts, even as it flagged serious lapses in the investigation of a missing girl case in Bokaro.
‘Court must unearth truth, not act as mute umpire’
Hearing the habeas corpus petition, the division bench of Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Sanjay Prasad emphasised that the judiciary’s primary duty is to discover the truth and ensure justice, rather than merely adjudicate between competing claims.
Referring to Supreme Court precedent, the bench observed that the entire judicial system exists to “discern and find out the real truth,” and that courts must actively search for truth using procedural and substantive laws as tools. It said truth alone must triumph, and courts cannot remain passive when serious doubts arise in a case.
This observation came while the court was considering doubts over the identity of skeletal remains recovered in connection with the disappearance of a girl from Bokaro.
Police lapses flagged, fresh forensic probe ordered
The court noted multiple lapses in the investigation, including a 10-day delay in registering the FIR despite a missing complaint and failure to promptly act against the prime suspect, who was arrested only in April 2026 though named earlier. It also pointed out contradictions in the police’s affidavit and oral submissions.
Observing that the investigation gained momentum only after court intervention, the bench termed the conduct of the police as “gross negligence.” It was informed that 28 police personnel, including members of the earlier SIT, have been suspended.
To remove doubts, the court ordered fresh DNA profiling. It directed that samples of the parents be collected again within 48 hours by the Military Hospital in Namkum and sent along with skeletal samples to CFSL Kolkata. The report is to be submitted to the court in a sealed envelope.
The court also directed RIMS Ranchi to conduct the postmortem of the skeletal remains on priority and asked the Director General of Police to personally monitor the investigation.
Senior officers present, SIT under scrutiny
During the hearing, several senior officers were present, including the Director General of Police, IG Bokaro, DIG Bokaro, SP Bokaro, members of the second SIT and the Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Ranchi.
The state was represented by Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan along with government counsel, while the petitioner was represented by a team of advocates led by Vincent Rohit Marki. The Additional Solicitor General appeared for the Union of India, and counsel for RIMS Ranchi was also present.
The court directed senior police officials and the SIT head to remain present in the next hearing as well.
What is the case?
The case relates to the disappearance of a woman in 2025 under the Pindrajora police station in Bokaro. Despite a missing complaint (Sanha) being lodged in July 2025, the FIR was registered after a delay, and the investigation saw little progress for months.
The High Court had earlier expressed concern over the slow probe and even indicated the possibility of a CBI inquiry. Following court intervention, a fresh SIT was constituted, and skeletal remains were recovered on April 11, 2026, based on the confession of an accused.
However, doubts over the identity of the remains prompted the court to order fresh scientific verification. The matter will next be heard on May 7.