By Kawanpreet Kaur 

The Delhi High Court directed all the police stations in the national capital to ensure that investigation in the cases of missing children starts immediately without the waiting period of 24 hours. A father filed a habeas corpus petition in the court seeking production of her minor daughter who went missing in February. He alleged that in his case, the Police instructed him to wait for 24 hours presuming that the minor girl may return within that period. He again approached the Police Station and a ‘missing person report’ was registered instead of FIR for the offence of kidnapping. He claimed that no proper investigation was conducted by the Police. The Court stated that the first 24 hour-period is the crucial period when steps for tracing of the missing child could lead to positive outcome. It observed that the 24-hour delay may result in the child being taken outside the jurisdiction of the Court or some untoward incident taking place. The Court directed the police to conduct immediate investigation and inquiries without waiting for 24 hours under the presumption that they may return home, irrespective of whether the child is a minor or a major. Accordingly, the bench transferred the matter to the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (Crime Branch) of Delhi Police and directed it to conduct immediate and diligent investigation under the supervision of a Senior Officer not below the rank of an ACP. The matter will now be heard on July 16. (Vinod v. State of NCT Of Delhi- W.P.(CRL) No. 2029/2024) 

Click here to read/download the order.