THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Jan 20: The Jharkhand High Court has summoned the Home Secretary to appear online on January 27 after observing serious lapses in handling a missing minor girl case from Gumla and the absence of clear guidelines to monitor people coming into the state from outside.
The court said the lack of identification and monitoring mechanisms has made Jharkhand vulnerable to child trafficking and related crimes.
Gumla SP Appears in Court
Gumla Superintendent of Police Haris Bin Zaman appeared before the division bench of Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Arun Kumar Rai on Wednesday in pursuance of a court order issued on January 20.
The case relates to a six-year-old girl who went missing in 2018. Her mother, Chandramuni Urain, had filed a habeas corpus petition seeking her recovery.
Court Questions Delay in Investigation
The High Court expressed concern over the delay in the investigation, noting that the FIR was lodged on February 6, 2020, while a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted only on August 29, 2025.
The court observed that sincere efforts were not made immediately after the FIR was registered and that the SIT was formed only after the habeas corpus petition was filed in September 2025.
The court directed the Gumla SP to explain what action was taken against the officer-in-charge of the police station concerned for the delay.
Fresh SIT, But Girl Still Missing
During the hearing, the Gumla SP informed the court that after taking charge, he constituted another SIT to intensify the search. He said earlier SITs had also gone outside the state, but the missing girl has not yet been traced.
However, the SP told the court that nine missing children were recovered during these operations. He assured the bench that he is personally monitoring the case and will submit an updated report in two weeks.
Court Flags Child Trafficking Networks
The court also referred to recent incidents of missing children, including cases from Dhurwa police station in Ranchi. It was pointed out that during investigations, organised trafficking networks were uncovered.
The court noted submissions by the state that many such rackets involve outsiders coming from different states under the guise of business and engaging in crimes, including human trafficking.
Guidelines Needed for Outsiders: HC
The High Court observed that child trafficking has devastating physical, psychological, and social consequences and undermines societal stability.
The bench said the state government, through the Home Department, must frame clear guidelines to regulate and identify people coming into Jharkhand from other states, including provisions for police verification and permission at local police stations.
Home Secretary Summoned Online
Taking note of the issue being of public importance, the court directed the Secretary, Home Department, to appear online at the next hearing on January 27 with concrete suggestions and measures to address the situation.
The court dispensed with the personal appearance of the Gumla SP for future hearings but directed that the head of the SIT must remain present to update the court on efforts to trace the missing girl.
